The Conservative government is still considering if it will cut taxes or provide any other support for employers and employees who take out private medical insurance (PMI) or group risk policies through the workplace.
In summer the government asked whether tax relief should be introduced for PMI provided though the workplace, despite not seeing the case for the tax break itself.
A response to the Tax Incentives for Occupational Health consultation, published alongside the Occupational Health: Working Better consultation in July, had been anticipated at the Autumn Statement after closing in October.
However, a response to the Working Better consultation from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) acknowledged the matter was still being considered.
“The UK government is continuing to explore the case for providing further support to employers through the tax system and will respond to the consultation Tax Incentives for Occupational Health in due course,” it said.
Renewing calls for tax support
The consultation in July had heartened some within the industry that the government was not entirely closed off to the potential of supporting provision of workplace health benefits through the tax system.
The Association of British Insurers (ABI), and the Association of Medical Insurers and Intermediaries (AMII) which had both called for tax breaks for employers offering PMI at the Budget in March, said they would be renewing their comments in response.
However, the British Insurance Brokers’ Association (BIBA) said it would only consider responding if it could establish any further new economic arguments.
