Fewer workers in East Anglia receive any provision for their wellbeing from their employers compared with London, according to a new survey.

Only 36% of staff in East Anglia say their employers makes provision to care for their wellbeing compared with 46% in the capital, the study by PMI Health Group found.

However, the region compares favourable with many other parts of the country, with the North West scoring only 24% followed by Yorkshire and Wales, both on 25%.

Mike Blake, director at PMI Health, said: “The geographical variation in healthcare provision demonstrates a clear divide between London and the rest of the UK in attitudes towards staff health.

“This could be explained by a higher concentration of large corporate employers in Greater London which may have more resources for wellbeing programmes.”

However, Mr Blake said that, given the pressure on the NHS, there would be an increased onus on employers to limit the damaging impact of sickness absence and to safeguard employee wellbeing.

The study also found 72% of employees in the East of England claim they are not encouraged by their employers to participate in voluntary health and wellbeing activities, such as cycle to work schemes.

Mr Blake added: “The idea that employers must play a key role in employees’ overall wellbeing is still new to many companies and this is reflected in the results of the study. Although the onus is shifting, employers are still unsure how best to address the issue.

“But health initiatives needn’t be complicated or expensive.”