Sir Charlie Mayfield, an employment tsar, urges the government to focus on reducing long-term sickness absence rather than pursuing rejoining the European Union. Reporting across the provided source states that Mayfield frames tackling what is described as Britain’s “sick note culture” as a significant economic opportunity. The core argument is that improving how long-term sickness absence is handled could help boost economic performance. The accounts indicate Mayfield believes changes in this area are more immediately productive than an EU rejoining strategy. No additional policy details, timelines, or specific measures are included in the provided text beyond the general call to address long-term sickness absence. The sources therefore converge on the same message: the priority should be employment and sickness-absence reform to support the economy, and rejoining the EU should not be the focus of that effort. The information presented is limited to this broad position attributed to Mayfield.