Weight loss jabs proposed for unemployed to help boost return to work

Proposals to offer weight loss injections to unemployed individuals living with obesity could have significant economic and health benefits, according to the prime minister. Sir Keir Starmer acknowledged that while additional funding is needed for the NHS, the government must also adopt innovative strategies to reduce strain on the healthcare system. His remarks followed Health Secretary Wes Streeting’s suggestion that such injections could help people return to work.

Currently, some weight loss injections are prescribed by the NHS to treat obesity and diabetes. Sir Keir emphasized that these treatments could be very helpful for individuals who are looking to lose weight and improve their health. He mentioned that these drugs are vital for NHS. They need more funding, but also need to rethink how they manage healthcare challenges.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting added that these medications have the potential to be “life-changing” for many. He highlighted how the growing obesity crisis is placing an unsustainable burden on the NHS, which currently spends £11 billion annually on obesity-related illnesses. The long-term benefits of these drugs could be transformative in our approach to fighting obesity.

Streeting’s comments coincided with the government’s announcement of a £279 million investment from Lilly, the world’s largest pharmaceutical company, during an international investment summit hosted by Sir Keir. The investment will fund real-world trials in Greater Manchester to evaluate the impact of the weight loss drug Mounjaro on reducing worklessness and the burden on the NHS. The five-year study, led by Health Innovation Manchester and Lilly, will explore whether the drug can improve employment outcomes and reduce healthcare usage.

The roll-out of Mounjaro across England is expected to be intermittent, according to NHS officials, as a result of the anticipated high demand. Over the next three years, approximately 250,000 people are expected to receive the injection, which is designed to suppress appetite and support weight loss.

Streeting also highlighted the potential economic benefits of these treatments, as obesity-related illnesses result in an average of four additional sick days per year per person and can force some out of the workforce entirely. Reducing obesity will not only improve public health but also boost the economy by cutting the number of workdays lost to illness.

The importance of individuals taking responsibility for their own health and adopting healthier habits was emphasised throughout the streeting practice. The National Health Service (NHS) cannot be expected to fund the costs of adopting an unhealthy lifestyle eternally, he mentioned. 

The NHS already prescribes weight loss medications such as Wegovy, which treats obesity, and Ozempic, used for diabetes. Both drugs are administered as injections and work by mimicking the hormone GLP-1, helping individuals feel fuller for longer and reducing appetite. Despite the promise of these drugs, experts have cautioned that they are not a substitute for a healthy diet and regular exercise and should only be used under medical supervision.

Amanda Pritchard, Chief Executive of the NHS, hailed the weight loss drugs as a “game-changer” for public health, noting their potential to reduce the risk of diabetes, heart attacks, and strokes.