One in four UK adviser firms are already discussing the Mayfield Review and its recommendations with clients according to new research carried out on behalf of specialist cancer navigation provider Reframe Cancer.
The Mayfield Review published the Keep Britain Working report in November 2025, calling for a fundamental shift in how workplace health is managed.
The report set out proposals for shared responsibility between employers, employees and healthcare providers, alongside a stronger emphasis on prevention and early intervention.
A three-year Vanguard Phase is now under way to test new workplace health approaches before final recommendations are agreed. Despite this, the research – based on a survey of 29 UK adviser firms – found that 75% are not currently discussing the report or its findings with clients.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
However, advisers appear more engaged when it comes to the financial impact of serious illness.
Nearly three quarters (72%) of firms said they are discussing the potential financial consequences of cancer with clients as part of protection planning.
This comes against a backdrop of mounting evidence that cancer diagnoses can have a significant effect on household finances.
According to supporting data referenced in the research, four in five people living with cancer in the UK report being, on average, £570 a month worse off following diagnosis. Despite this, more than a quarter (28%) of adviser firms said they rarely raise the financial impact of cancer with clients.
FUNDAMENTALS WON’T CHANGE
Mark Stephenson (main picture), CEO at Reframe Cancer, said: “We are now in the three-year Vanguard Phase of the Mayfield Review and Keep Britain Working report and recommendations.
“So, whilst nothing specific is set in stone, there are several important points that we do know, and these fundamentals won’t change.
“The requirement for partnership working across employers, employees and providers of health services is a core recommendation, added to this the greater focus on prevention and early intervention.
“This means a bigger onus on employers to be more proactive when it comes to employee health and wellbeing, not just reacting to issues as and when they arise.”
ONE IN TWO WILL GET CANCER
He added: “If one in four adviser firms are already speaking with corporate clients about this is, that’s a good thing but the figure needs to be higher.
“The current and future needs of organisations need to be met, and the Mayfield Review is one of the biggest developments to impact UK corporates in recent years.
“Economic inactivity caused by ill health is costing the UK £212 billion a year.”
“Economic inactivity caused by ill health that prevents work is estimated to be costing the UK £212 billion a year and rising. The cost attributable to cancer is estimated to be £12 billion of this.
“Given this, whilst it is brilliant news that 72% of adviser firms say they are talking to clients about the potential financial cost of cancer, it is concerning that 28% say they rarely are. One in two people will get cancer in their lifetime, having the right protection policy in place is vital and can help patients navigate their cancer pathway and lessen the steep financial impact that cancer can have.”
CONVERSATIONS SHOULD HAPPEN NOW
Roy McLoughlin, member of the Protection Distributors Group, said: “The Mayfield Review and its recommendations are hugely important, adviser firms should be talking to their clients about it regularly.
“If only one in four are currently doing that, I’d say that is concerning. Regardless of the three year Vanguard Phase, this government backed report has put early intervention services forward as a key point to get people back into work.
“That isn’t going to change, so the conversations around this should be happening now. People also need to be aware there are early intervention services available, many may not know what they are or how they can help, so employers, insurers and advisers can use this time to invest and educate.”
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
He added: “The number of economically inactive people in the UK is staggeringly high, and many of these people can be helped back to work through third party support.
“They can be a lifeline and be the difference between people never working again and becoming a member of the workforce.
“We also mustn’t forget the self-employed as well. They won’t have any HR advice or support for example, so they need to work out what their own early intervention services are and what they need.
“This is where annual benefits statements from insurers and advisers can be really helpful in reminding people what benefits they have available to them.”
