More regulation is not the solution to getting people back to work and off benefits, business leaders have claimed.

Businesses are already offering help to employees wanting to get back to work, with 60% offering flexible working and counselling to rehabilitate sick staff.

Susan Anderson, director of human policy at the CBI business group, said: “With £2.6m on incapacity benefit, and one million of those wanting to come back to work, the government is right to look at ways to get people back into a job.

”GPs and the Health and Safety Executive must work with employer to provide support and advice services so employers can judge when, and if, people can come back to work.”