NHS Confederation chief executive, Matthew Taylor, has called for NHS investment to be used as an ‘explicit tool' of economic development.

Taylor's comments came in response to the Conservative Party's proposals for welfare reform.

'With almost 3m people in the UK now economically inactive due to long-term sickness we need to see much greater levels of support offered to those who are not in work due to poor physical or mental health,' Taylor said.

NHS Confederation research shows every pound invested in health gave £4 back to the wider economy.

Taylor referenced the health sector's progress in boosting employment support and treatment through the Integrated Care Systems included in the Government's WorkWell pilot sites.

He also welcomed the Conservatives' proposals to introduce a £700m ‘step change' in mental health treatment that would see 500,000 more people a year able to access talking therapies by 2030, its recommitment to roll out mental health support teams to schools and to fund support hubs for young people.

The chief executive highlighted the NHS Confederation's manifesto call for a cross-government national mission for health improvement.

The Tories' reform plans also include reforming disability benefits to ensuring the right support is targeted at those who need it most, supporting those with moderate health or mobility issues back into work and shifting responsibility for issuing fit notices from GPs to work and health professionals.