IOSH brings prevention-first agenda to Parliament in landmark House of Commons event

IOSH brought its prevention-first message to Westminster on 24 February 2026, hosting a high-profile parliamentary event in the House of Commons. The event brought together leading voices from health and safety, occupational health and employment policy.

Ruth Wilkinson speaking at IOSH event at Westminster — IOSH’s Ruth Wilkinson speaking during the event

The event – How can a prevention and people-first approach keep Britain working? – was a major moment for IOSH’s public affairs work.

It not only placed workplace health firmly on the political agenda, but it securing two highly-influential national figures as keynote speakers. They were Dame Diana Johnson MP, the UK’s Employment Minister, and Sir Charlie Mayfield, Chair of the Government’s Keep Britain Working Review.

Their participation marked a significant coup for IOSH and demonstrated the growing recognition of its leadership in shaping the future of work and wellbeing.

Panels highlight urgent need for prevention

The event opened with a lively panel exploring how prevention can support the vanguard stage of the Government’s response to Sir Charlie Mayfield’s review.

Professor Kevin Bampton (British Occupational Hygiene Society) set the tone with a stark reminder that “the biggest cause of cancer is the workplace”, calling for a stronger national embrace of prevention.

UNISON’s Joe Donnelly echoed the urgency, outlining rising stress and mental health challenges and emphasising that 300,000 people leave work each year due to ill-health.

Speakers from across sectors – including Greater Manchester’s Good Employment Charter, Affinity Health at Work and the Society of Occupational Medicine – stressed the need for systemic approaches, higher competency standards and a workplace culture where harm is spotted long before it becomes harmful.

The second discussion focused on how to deliver truly person-centred approaches that support people to remain well and thrive at work.

Voices from the Chartered Institute for Personnel and Development (CIPD), EDF, Mind, Arthritis UK and Working With Cancer painted a clear picture: good work is flexible work, and employers must go beyond minimum requirements to ensure people are heard, supported and empowered to stay in or return to work.

Whether through reasonable adjustments, early contact, supportive line managers or cancer-aware policies, the message was consistent – person-centred practice is essential to a healthier workforce and a stronger economy.

Headline speeches major coup for IOSH

These conversations provided the perfect foundation for the day’s two headline speakers.

Dame Diana Johnson MP, delivering a widely praised keynote, outlined the labour market challenges ahead, including mental health pressures and an ageing population, and spoke passionately about the “pride, purpose and independence of being in work”.

She emphasised the importance of prevention, reaffirming that a people-focused approach to workplace health is not just “good for workers, but good for businesses, and good for the economy and society”.

Her contribution underscored the Government’s growing commitment to reshaping workplace health policy, placing prevention at the heart of future reform.

The event’s closing address, delivered by Sir Charlie Mayfield, was a major highlight. Fresh from the Government’s acceptance of all his Keep Britain Working Review recommendations, he detailed the review’s swift progress toward implementation.

He set out three early priority areas: young people’s mental health; improved provision across workplace mental health services; and strengthening partnerships with mayoral regions.

He also identified crucial goals for 2026, including defining what a healthy working lifecycle looks like, improving workplace health provision and building the data infrastructure needed to convince more employers of the benefits.

His recognition of IOSH’s role in this national mission reaffirmed the organisation’s growing influence.

Significant milestone for IOSH

Hosting these two prominent figures at the House of Commons signalled a strong level of visibility and political engagement for IOSH.

Their insights, combined with the contributions from experts across sectors, reinforced a clear message: if Britain is to keep people healthy, productive and in work, prevention and person-centred approaches must lead the way.

This event marked a significant milestone in IOSH’s advocacy, demonstrating its ability to convene national leaders, shape policy conversations and champion the future of safe, healthy and fulfilling work.