In light of the economic downturn, Unum UK has repurposed its government affairs and public policy work to focus on providing solutions to the vast protection gap facing U.K. workers.

Serious illness, injury or an untimely death can have a devastating effect on an individual or family and yet only around 10 percent of the working population is covered – many through employer-paid benefits that are now being scaled back because of the recession. The British Government’s Welfare Reform Act focuses on transforming the U.K. welfare and benefits system to improve support and incentives for people to move from benefits into work. This includes the introduction of a new Employment and Support Allowance which has more rigorous evaluation and acceptance criteria.

With this reduction in the State safety net, coupled with front-line spending reductions to medical and other services, companies and individuals are more responsible than ever before for their financial protection.