UNEMPLOYED Brits could be given free weight-loss jabs under plans being drawn up by Wes Streeting.
The Health Secretary wants to use drugs including Ozempic and Mounjaro to kickstart a major back-to-work drive.
Mr Streeting admitted that “widening waistbands” are putting a huge strain on the NHS.
But he said that fat jabs could provide a two-pronged solution, both easing pressure on the ailing health service and encouraging the unemployed back into work.
This morning Sir Keir Starmer backed the move, suggesting jabs could help boost the nation’s health and economic growth.
The PM told BBC Breakfast: “I think these drugs could be very important for our economy and for health.
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“This drug will be very helpful to people who want to lose weight, need to lose weight, very important for the economy so people can get back into work.
“We’ve got to reduce the pressure on the NHS.
“So this will help in all of those areas.”
It comes as the government last night confirmed that pharmaceutical giant Lilly will invest £279 million into developing new drugs and treatment in the UK.
Writing in The Telegraph, the Health Secretary said: “Our widening waistbands are also placing significant burden on our health service, costing the NHS £11bn a year – even more than smoking.
“And it’s holding back our economy.
“Illness caused by obesity causes people to take an extra four sick days a year on average, while many others are forced out of work altogether.”
A five-year trial run by Lilly, assessing the impact of weight loss drugs on the unemployed, is set to take place in Greater Manchester.
However, despite promising results from similar such trials, Mr Streeting warned that Brits must continue to take “healthy living more seriously”.
He added that the “NHS can’t be expected to always pick up the tab for unhealthy lifestyles”.
The Health Secretary also cautioned against adults using the jab to achieve the “perfect” body.
He said: “I think the drugs can make a really big impact in terms of getting weight under control.
“Some encouraging signs around prevention of cardiovascular disease, big killers, heart disease, heart attack, stroke, there is really big potential there.
“Where I think we’ve just got to be careful, though, is that we don’t see these drugs as an excuse not to do the right thing in terms of our diet, nutrition, exercise, or to use them as cosmetic drugs for the Instagram perfect body.”
Studies of patients taking the Mounjaro jab found they shed more than a fifth of their body weight in eight months.
The drug is due to be offered to 1.6 million people on the NHS as part of a phased roll out over the next 12 years.
