MINISTERS want to use fat jabs to get Britain working again after analysis found they could inject billions of pounds into the economy every year.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting said Ozempic-style medicines like Wegovy and Mounjaro will be a “game-changer for millions”, slashing sick days and benefit costs.
A new study estimates they could boost UK plc by £4.5billion a year if prescribed to all four million overweight people who are eligible.
Slimming workers’ waistlines improves their employment chances and productivity on the job, and reduces sick days.
It would also save cash on benefits and medical treatment, according to research by consulting firm Lane Clark and Peacock.
Study author Robert King said: “Even if you are getting a relatively small gain per person, it stacks up to a large impact at the population level.”
Excess weight is weighing down our economy
Wes Streeting
The Government is already trialling their use on obese unemployed people in Manchester.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting said: “These drugs could have colossal clout in our fight to tackle obesity and get unemployed Britons back to work.
“We will carefully consider the results of this important research.
“Excess weight is currently weighing down on our economy.
“There can be no doubt that these drugs will support our shift from sickness to prevention and be a game-changer for millions.”
He said the NHS will trial new ways of rolling out the drugs, which currently might take 12 years to get to all patients.
The new study, presented to the European Congress on Obesity, compared people’s productivity before and after treatment with semaglutide, known as Wegovy or Ozempic.
It was estimated to increase a patient’s value to the economy by £1,127 per year.
Scaled up to the four million estimated to be eligible, this could total £4.5billion annually.
Slimmers save cash by taking an average of five fewer sick days per year, offering 12 more days of unpaid work such as caring for a child or parent, and costing the state £64 less annually.
About one third of adults are obese and it drives health conditions like high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, heart diseases, cancer and dementia.
Mr King said: “These chronic diseases impact an incredible amount of people so there are far-reaching implications of not treating them.”
Professor Jason Halford, from the European Association of the Study of Obesity, added: “Obesity has a negative impact on our health services and also our wider economy, and that holds the UK back.
“This could significantly boost the economy.”
