A major initiative to tackle economic inactivity in York and North Yorkshire has been extended, with the Department for Work and Pensions confirming an additional £10 million investment.
The Get Britain Working Economic Inactivity Trailblazer, originally planned as a 12-month programme ending in March 2026, will now run for another year.
The York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority will continue to lead the scheme, which aims to help people back into employment and support businesses in creating good work opportunities. New delivery partners for the first year include North Yorkshire Council, City of York Council, and NHS Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board, who will oversee a range of services.
The trailblazer focuses on three key objectives:
- Engaging and supporting people out of work due to ill health.
- Working with employers to provide quality job opportunities.
- Joining up networks of systems and services to remove barriers to work.
David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, commented:
“This investment of up to £10 million is a vote of confidence in our ability to deliver real change for people and businesses across the region.
“Through this trailblazing scheme, we are tackling the barriers that hold people back from work and connecting them with the quality jobs they deserve.
“It means that we can continue to build on the work we are doing with our partners, having already invested a record £30 million in our skills programmes.”
While ill health is the primary focus, the programme also addresses other challenges such as age, low skills, caring responsibilities, and long-term unemployment. In its first year, the trailblazer aims to assist 1,500 jobseekers, support 500 people already in work, and work with 150 businesses.
This extension underscores the government’s commitment to tackling economic inactivity and ensuring that people across York and North Yorkshire have access to the support they need to return to work and thrive.
Image credit: iStock
