Guardian will add both critical illness and combined life and critical illness cover to its Essentials range in the coming weeks.

The new immediate needs annuity aims to support an ageing population as the gap between life expectancy and healthy life expectancy widens. 

New survey data from The Exeter shows that affordability and product quality have both grown in importance over the last year.

According to the latest research conducted by Simplyhealth, 29% of employees in the UK have considered quitting their job due to back pain.