As the Summer draws to a close and the shops start to stock Halloween and Christmas paraphernalia, we thought we would take a look back on the last few months here at Alliance Consulting. We were delighted to attend the SME Business Awards at the end of June as a Finalist under the Outstanding Customer Service category. It was a glittering affair at the Bedford Corn Exchange, one which our Managing Director, Maria attended on crutches further to her total hip replacement the week before! We didn't win (our very worthy opponent was a dog grooming business) but we had a wonderful evening rubbing shoulders with some of Bedford's finest business minds. Having joined the Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce earlier this year, we have been venturing into the world of networking and have attended various events so far including the summer reception at Marston Forest Centre and a number of coffee mornings and afternoons. We've had the opportunity to meet with some great people and businesses developing new local business relationships. After a quiet few months, a feeling echoed universally amongst our business community, we are pleased to report that hiring is most definitely on the up again and we are now working on multiple vacancies in the UK, Europe and the US. How are we coping with the additional work you ask? Meet Geoff, our newest employee. He looks forward to taking your calls!

Data published by the NHS shows that 11 million fit notes were issued in 2023 with 94 per cent of these indicating that the recipients were not fit for work. A significant portion of these were repeat fit notes issued without further medical advice. These figures suggest that almost a third of working adults are inactive. This has come to be regarded by our Government as Britain’s “sick note culture,” where workers have been unnecessarily written off from work, often on a long term basis, and placed on benefits without receiving the appropriate support and treatment to aid them in returning to work. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak stated that benefits had become a “lifestyle choice” for some workers, resulting in a “spiralling” welfare bill. A month ago, the Prime Minister highlighted his intention to introduce a package of welfare reforms to ensure those who are fit to work are not left behind by claiming benefits. This includes individuals with mental health issues, who could be better supported by therapies or respite care rather than cash transfers. One significant consequence of this welfare reform would be an overhaul of the fit note system. The focus of fit note discussions would shift to what people can do with the right support, rather than what they can’t do. This new process would be managed by specialist health professionals instead of GPs, who would conduct objective assessments of a person’s ability to work and then provide tailored support to help them return to work. The Government indicated that they would invest £65 million in a “WorkWell” pilot plan, designed to support people in staying and progressing in work. Fifteen areas have been selected for this pilot project. The WorkWell pilot plan will involve referrals to a work & health coach for staff members who are signed off from work and considering leaving employment altogether. Referrals can be made by the worker’s GP, employer, or local service. The coach will identify the worker’s health and social barriers to employment and develop a plan to address them. This plan may include sessions with a physiotherapist, meetings with a counsellor, and consultations with a Human Resource Advisor for employment advice. Participation in the WorkWell pilot plan is expected to be voluntary, and workers can also make self-referrals. The pilot plan is anticipated to start in late October 2024, with the goal of helping businesses reduce absenteeism and improve productivity. However, the true effectiveness of the program remains to be seen - especially given its voluntary nature.