The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority Board has approved the 10-year Get Britain and Cambridgeshire Working Plan, a bold and integrated strategy to drive economic growth, create local jobs and expand career services that help residents enter, remain and progress in work.
Currently, around 78% of working-age residents are employed, leaving 68,000 people on out-of-work benefits and 22,500 economically inactive due to long-term sickness. Unlocking this potential is central to reducing inequalities and delivering inclusive growth across the region.
The plan addresses local labour market challenges and aligns priorities from the Local Growth Plan, the forthcoming Local Skills Improvement Plan (March 2026) and the Integrated Health and Wellbeing Strategy into a unified regional approach.
Aligned with the national white paper, the strategy focuses on three key priorities:
- Boosting skills to meet the needs of local employers and future industries
- Tackling economic inactivity by supporting more people into sustainable employment
- Creating better quality, higher-paying jobs through reforms to employment and skills advice services
Paul Bristow, Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, said:
“This strategy unlocks growth for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough – more skills and more jobs mean more opportunity, driving stronger regional growth.
“We welcome this plan that will help people get into employment, and support businesses with the skilled workforce they need.”
The initiative will transform careers support, making it more digital, accessible, and responsive to local communities. By modernising services and tailoring them to regional needs, the plan aims to ensure everyone can build rewarding careers while strengthening the local economy.
Image credit: iStock
