The Finance Bill's announcement that tax relief will be introduced for employees referred to occupational therapy is to be "welcomed"; Unum has said.
Under current legislation an employer who arranges and pays for medical treatment for an employee is generally treated as a ‘benefit in kind' and liable to income tax.
The Bill, published last Friday, announced under new legislation there will be an exemption from a charge to income tax for any payment by an employer to meet the costs of medical treatment recommended by occupational health services up to a limit of £500 per employee per year.
John Letizia, head of public affairs and CSR at Unum (pictured) said: "The Finance Bill's announcement on tax relief for employees who are referred for occupational therapy is, quite rightly, welcomed. Not only do these measures help people get back to work, they also offer financial support to individuals - and their families - as well as supporting the wider UK economy.
"This will help insurers that provide products such as Income Protection, which often deliver services like occupational therapy, play an even greater role in getting unwell employees back into the workplace."
Letizia concluded: "What we would like to see now is for the Government to continue to put emphasis on this area to create a co-ordinated, joined up approach across all government departments."
