Work, health and opportunity

When politicians debate the future of the economy, public services, skills, housing and employment, they are also making decisions that affect the future of occupational safety and health. 

That is why IOSH attends the major UK political party conferences each year. 

These events bring together ministers, MPs, councillors, businesses, trade unions, charities and policy experts to discuss the challenges facing the country. They offer a unique opportunity for IOSH to ensure the voice of the profession is heard where policy is being shaped and future government priorities are being debated. 

For IOSH members, this matters because decisions made in Westminster and devolved governments have a direct impact on the world of work. Whether it’s occupational health, workplace mental health, construction safety, skills policy, employment support or regulation, the conversations taking place today can influence the workplaces of tomorrow.

Over recent weeks, members of the Policy and Public Affairs team attended conferences in Brighton, Liverpool and Birmingham, meeting politicians, policymakers and partner organisations.

The aim was simple: to raise the profile of occupational safety and health, understand emerging political priorities and identify opportunities to influence future policy for the benefit of workers, employers and the profession. 

Liberal Democrats: putting prevention at the heart of health policy 

The Liberal Democrats find themselves in a significant parliamentary position, with a substantial number of MPs and an influential role in scrutinising health policy through the chairmanship of the Health and Social Care Select Committee. This presents an opportunity to shape debate and hold the Government to account on the future of health and social care.

For IOSH, this also presents an important opportunity, to secure greater recognition of occupational safety and health within the wider health debate, ensuring that preventing work-related ill health receives as much attention as treating its consequences.

IOSH took part in wide-ranging discussions, covering topics from the national cancer plan to mental health and supporting people into work. Across all these areas, IOSH’s message was clear: preventing ill health at work delivers benefits for individuals, employers, the NHS and the wider economy.

Labour: supporting people throughout working life

As the party of government, Labour arrived at conference in a buoyant mood under its new Prime Minister, but with significant policy challenges to address. One of the most prominent was the future of young people, with around one million classified as NEETs (not in education, employment or training). More than 18 fringe discussions explored how to tackle the crisis and what the forthcoming Milburn Review might recommend to help young people access education, training and employment.

The conversations covered a wide range of issues, from the decline in entry level jobs and the potential impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on future employment, to the importance of construction skills and creating technical education pathways into work. Discussions also explored the effects of extreme heat on vulnerable groups, including people with epilepsy, the relationship between mental health and employment, and the challenges facing older workers.

Across these debates, a common thread was the need to better understand the barriers people face throughout their working lives. IOSH continues to champion the importance of occupational safety and health at every stage, from helping young people enter work safely to supporting older workers and ensuring that workplaces protect health, promote wellbeing and enable people to thrive.

Another major theme was the importance of housebuilding in addressing the housing crisis. However, there was comparatively little discussion of the role of health and safety, effective regulation and worker protection in ensuring that homes are built safely and responsibly.  With the 10th anniversary of Grenfell approaching, IOSH will continue advocating for safety to remain at the centre of conversations about the built environment.

Conservatives: growth, regulation and an ageing workforce

The Conservative conference featured extensive discussion about housing, construction regulation and the challenge of supporting an ageing workforce. 
Several housing fringe events explored whether regulation in construction has gone too far in the wake of Grenfell, with arguments that requirements should be reviewed to enable homes to be built more quickly. These discussions also raised questions about self-regulation in construction and the balance between reducing barriers to housebuilding and maintaining robust oversight, accountability and safety standards. 

There were also valuable discussions about the importance of supporting older workers, including recognising the impact of health on their ability to remain in employment. As working lives extend, prevention, access to occupational health and appropriate workplace adjustments will be increasingly important in helping people stay healthy and in work for longer. 

These conversations reinforced a core IOSH message: economic growth and good health and safety are not competing priorities. Safe and healthy work is a foundation for sustainable growth, workforce participation and long-term productivity.

Why it matters

Party conferences provide an opportunity to understand the issues likely to shape future policy and to ensure occupational safety and health is part of those conversations from the outset. 

For IOSH, attendance is not about politics. It is about influence. 

By building relationships, sharing evidence and championing the profession across the political spectrum, IOSH helps ensure that the expertise of its members informs decisions on employment, health, skills, construction and economic growth.

Because when policymakers shape the future of work, occupational safety and health professionals deserve a seat at the table.