Region selected as trailblazer to break down barriers to work

York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority has been chosen to trial ways of getting people back into work, as part of a £240m investment by the Government.

York and North Yorkshire will receive up to £10m as a trailblazer area unveiled by the Government, alongside the publication of the Get Britain Working White Paper.

It is one of eight locations in England and Wales which will focus on improving the support available to people who are economically inactive due to ill health and help them return to work.

David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, said: “We have a great opportunity here to help break down some of the barriers preventing people in our communities getting back into work due to ill health.

“We have been asked by Government to bring together and maximise existing support and test new approaches as we develop this trailblazer offer further.

“Healthy and thriving communities are at the centre of my vision for York and North Yorkshire. We’re incredibly excited and passionate to bring this trailblazer to York and North Yorkshire and help people get healthy and get back to work.

“We will ensure it delivers for our region, connecting people to opportunities, as well as benefitting the national fact-finding work led by Government.”

According to the Government, a quarter of all people aged 16-64 have a long-term health condition that limits their day-to-day activities with disabled people nearly three times more likely than non-disabled people to be economically inactive.

The White Paper sets out how the Government will invest £125m in eight areas across England and Wales, to mobilise local work, health and skills support – so everyone who wants to work can get the joined-up support they need.

These eight trailblazers will be at the forefront of designing how locally joined-up support will work in practice across England and Wales.

Outside of the ill health-focused sites, there will also be eight youth trailblazer areas set up across the country. Funding will identify those most at risk of falling out of education or employment and match them to opportunities for education, training or work.