Dame Carol Black

Dame Carol produced the first ever review of the working age population’s health this year. Working for Health found ill health costs the nation£100bn a year and concluded the health service should help people remain healthy at work and assist ill people to return to work quickly. Its findings were broadly welcomed by organisations including NHS Employers, the British Medical Association and Mind, but economists said the numbers did not add up.

However, the report could become increasingly important as the size of the working population and its contribution to the economy diminishes.