Keep Britain Working
Keep Britain Working (KBW) is a national programme sponsored by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) and the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) which aims to shape a fairer and more supportive Workplace Health system.
Led by the Civic Health Innovation Labs (CHIL), the University of Liverpool is working with KBW to generate practical evidence led insights and to develop trusted data models.
A key focus of our current work is developing and testing a UK Work and Health Toolkit (WHT) - a modern, worker centred way for people to describe emerging work and health problems and receive personalised guidance early, before issues escalate.
The toolkit also aims to provide safe, non-identifiable intelligence that employers and public services can use to improve support and reduce avoidable absence.
Our approach
Our work combines research, data innovation and public participation to develop practical solutions that can be adopted across the work and health ecosystem. Delivered through three core strands of work:
- Building evidence for a Work and Health Toolkit - We are analysing the current UK work and health landscape – including delays in support, fragmented pathways, and widening inequalities – and drawing on international models to understand what works.
- Designing trustworthy data and consent models - A central part of our work is developing responsible data sharing approaches that protect individuals while enabling better support.
- Public deliberation and co-design - Our work is grounded in citizen involvement. Beginning in Liverpool City Region in autumn 2026, we are convening Citizens’ Panels to explore further.
Why keep Britain working?
The UK faces a persistent cycle of ill health, economic inactivity and widening inequalities. Many people only receive support once problems have escalated, employers lack reliable insight into emerging issues, and public services struggle to coordinate timely help.
A worker centred toolkit – built with citizens, grounded in evidence, and protected by strong safeguards – offers a way to:
- Provide earlier help
- Strengthen retention
- Improve productivity
- Reduce avoidable sickness absence
- Support fairer outcomes for disadvantaged communities.
