Protection and health insurance boosted UK plc by £6.1bn: ABI

12,500 full-time workers stayed in work

Jaskeet Briah
clock • 3 min read

Health and protection insurers produced the equivalent of £6.1 billion a year in benefits for UK businesses and the wider economy by reducing the number of days employees needed to take as sick leave in 2021, according to new research from the Association of British Insurers (ABI).

Its Futureproofing Workplace Health research, carried out by WPI Economics, found these benefits were split across businesses (£2.6bn), the wider economy (£2bn), and the Exchequer (£1.5bn), showing that health and protection insurance is boosting the UK's productivity and economic growth, according to the ABI. With the number of people out of work due to long-term sickness at a record high, the ABI said the research demonstrates how insurance services support people to stay healthy and in work, including preventing 14 million sick days in 2021 and helping 12,500 full-time workers stay in...

To continue reading this article...

Join COVER for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, key trend analysis and industry insights.
  • Stay on top of the latest developments around health and wellbeing, diversity and inclusion and the cost of living crisis.
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletter.
  • Members only access to monthly programme 'The COVER Review'
  • Be the first to hear about our CPD accredited events and awards programmes.

Join now

 

Already a Cover member?

Login

More on Group Protection

Half of employees want more flexible healthcare options: Simplyhealth

Half of employees want more flexible healthcare options: Simplyhealth

15% of employees found it difficult to access healthcare

Jaskeet Briah
clock 14 July 2026 • 1 min read
Government to create Workplace Health Intelligence Unit as part of Keep Britain Working Review

Government to create Workplace Health Intelligence Unit as part of Keep Britain Working Review

Making workplace health performance visible

Jaskeet Briah
clock 06 July 2026 • 2 min read
Unum UK adds personalised cancer navigation service

Unum UK adds personalised cancer navigation service

Partnership with Reframe Cancer

Jaskeet Briah
clock 03 July 2026 • 2 min read