The findings outlined in this report suggest a correlation between obesity and economic inactivity, as well as obesity affecting the productivity and wellbeing of people who are in work. Drawing from previous IPPR research, the core policy recommendation is based on developing a whole-of-society approach to tackling obesity.

This report looks specifically at health as a major determinant of the labour market, and one that needs to be better understood – particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A key conclusion from this report is that the United Kingdom is unlikely to lead in an increasingly competitive, global life science market unless it has a clear sense of the role of government within the health research ecosystem – and a mechanism to deliver policy in keeping with its role.

In this report, the authors propose policies designed to better live with COVID-19, to help build back better, and to help prepare for the future.

This report identifies six areas where policy incentives are misaligned with an ambition to tackle health inequality, and makes recommendations across the NHS and the socio-economic drivers of poor health.