Unemployed people struggling with obesity could be given new weight loss measures to help them return to work, the Health Secretary has said.

Wes Streeting suggested that the latest generation of drugs, including Ozempic and Monzaro, could be “life-changing” for individuals and would reduce pressure on the NHS.

“Our expanding waistlines are also placing a significant burden on our health service,” he said in an interview. Opinion piece for The Telegraph,

“The long-term benefits of these drugs could be important in our approach to tackling obesity.”

Streeting said obesity-related diseases cost the NHS £11 billion a year.

His words came as the government announced a £279 million investment from Lilly, the world’s largest pharmaceutical company. International Investment Summit Hosted by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

Plans announced at the summit will include real-world trials of the impact of weight-loss jabs on lack of work, the Telegraph reports.

A study by Health Innovation Manchester and Lilly will investigate whether taking the drugs will reduce worklessness and impact NHS service use, and will take place in Greater Manchester.

The Health Secretary said weight loss injections could also benefit the economy by reducing the number of sick days taken due to obesity.

“The disease burden caused by obesity causes people to take an average of four extra days off sick a year, while forcing many others out of work altogether,” he said.

However, individuals will still need to remain responsible in taking “healthy living more seriously”, as “the NHS cannot always be expected to pick up the tab for unhealthy lifestyles”, he said.

“As a country, we are eating more, eating less healthy foods and exercising less. The cost to the individual is clear – less healthy and shorter lives.”

Ozempic is one of a number of weight loss medicines already available on the NHS for people with obesity under certain conditions.

It comes as an injection and mimics the hormone GLP-1, making people feel full and less hungry.

Experts have previously warned that the drug is not a quick-fix or a substitute for good diet and exercise, and should only be given under medical supervision.

NHS chief executive Amanda Pritchard said the drugs would be a “game-changer” for public health and could reduce the risk of diabetes, heart attacks and strokes.

David A. Ricks, Lilly’s chairman and chief executive, said: “We welcome this opportunity to partner with the UK government to accelerate innovation to tackle and prevent the disease and advance care delivery models.”