Bupa heath care has expressed worries for the British workforce, as more workers are being exposed to higher rates of diseases and illnesses. The group fear these consequences so much that they predicted in 2030, such issues will be a serious threat to UK business.

The private healthcare company predicted that the number of workers with chronic conditions will rise by at least 7% to more than four million. Heart problems, mental illnesses and serious diseases will also hike.

Christine Hancock, director of a health alliance group said that work has had a serious impact on people’s lives, as a third of their time is spent at a job.

“This report signals clearly to British businesses that unhealthy lifestyle behaviours, such as poor diet, smoking and lack of physical activity, will be a major factor driving up long-term diseases in the working population over the next 20 years,” Hancock said.

As a result of these findings, the government has urged all businesses to take more interest in pro-active solutions to keep their workers healthy.

Dr Natalie-Jane Macdonald, of Bupa UK Health Insurance, said: "For the first time, we have a clear picture of the major health issues that will affect British workers over the next 20 years.”

She furthered: “The commercial benefits of taking action on workplace health are clear as healthy employees can be nearly three times more productive than those in poor health.”