The government has launched a £1 million fund, created to improve occupational health (OH) and welfare in the workplace for UK SMEs and the self employed.
Successful applicants will be eligible to receive up to £100,000 to devise new solutions aimed at bettering access to OH services for small businesses.
When applying to the scheme, applicants will be asked to outline how they would leverage technology to enhance health outcomes for employees.
The Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI)
As reported in the government’s press release, the scheme “is a joint venture between the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and The Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC), as part of the Joint Work and Health Unit, and in conjunction with Innovate UK, an arm of UK Research and Innovation.”
The fund opened its doors to applicants on 30th January and will accept applications from would-be candidates until 15 March 2023.
Specifically, the government is seeking proposals to:
- Discover new and innovative ways for the OH market, which supports people to stay well in work, to deliver services that drive better access for SMEs and self-employed
- Discover new and innovative ways that the OH market can deliver services and better serve the demand for OH
- Deliver innovations that can be scaled up for businesses to have an impact in the OH market through new services and better use of technology
Improving Occupational Health Provisions for Small Businesses
Speaking to the importance of improving occupational health provisions within the workplace, Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work, Tom Pursglove MP, said: “Good occupational health within workplaces is vital in supporting our overall health and standard of living.
“We spend so much of our lives at work, and it is imperative that our employers can give us the support we need to maintain our physical and mental health. This in turn means we can give our best at work.
“Through the launch of our new £1 million fund, I look forward to seeing innovative, workable solutions to help SMEs deliver the best for their employees, creating healthier, welfare-driven working environments that will ultimately drive growth and improve people’s working lives.”
Pursglove’s sentiment was echoed by parliamentary colleague and the Minister for Care, Helen Whately MP, who remarked that:
“This new £1 million fund will help us find better ways to support the health of our workforce – especially looking at small businesses and the self-employed.
“Making sure people stay well enough to work is so important – it means a bigger workforce, boosted productivity, and better quality of living.
“Successful bidders will look at innovative new ways to support people in their field of work, help them to live healthier, happier lives while driving growth in our economy.”
Small businesses access unsecured, fast funding from Got Capital. As an alternative lender, Got Capital offers financing solutions specifically designed for and catered to the needs of SMEs.
