Mayor unveils £37 million plan to get region working

A regeneration boss has unveiled a £37 million plan to improve employment outcomes across West Yorkshire.

Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin’s Healthy Working Life strategy, developed in collaboration with the NHS, aims to help residents with disabilities or long-term health conditions into secure, well-paid jobs, with the pledge to deliver the “healthiest residents and workforce in England by 2040”.

With 100,000 people in the region out of work for health-related reasons, Mayor Brabin says the plan will create personalised support by integrating job advice into NHS care pathways, helping those with health conditions to “unlock their potential” and “change their lives”.

Mayor Brabin said: “We’ve spoken to people across our great region who are living with health conditions, and the answer was clear – too many people feel written off from good health and good work when the right support could transform their lives.

“Today marks a watershed moment for our region. 

“By joining up health, skills and work with a multi-million-pound plan that’s backed by the Government, we’ll ensure that everyone can get the personalised support they need to succeed.

“To grow our economy we must unlock the potential of everyone in it, and that includes giving those with health conditions a fair chance to flourish. 

“Through our strong regional partnership, we’ll build a healthier, wealthier West Yorkshire.”

Key priorities include new financial incentives for employers, tailored support for small businesses and investment in the voluntary sector to reach those furthest from the labour market. 

A new oversight board, led by the mayor and health leaders, will drive delivery.

Rob Webster CBE, chief executive of the NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB), added:“This is good news for people in West Yorkshire and the wider region. 

“We know good work is a route to good health. 

“We also know that there are people in West Yorkshire who are economically inactive due to their health conditions who want to be supported to stay in work or get back into work.

“We have a history of good collaboration in West Yorkshire and will use this resource to show how better, joined up support for people can change lives.”

The initiative is backed by the Government’s Plan for Change and coincides with Wakefield’s selection as the UK’s first pilot for a more personalised Jobs and Careers Service – shifting away from a one-size-fits-all approach.

Councillor Denise Jeffery, leader of Wakefield Council, added: “This plan puts Wakefield at the centre of how we provide better and more personalised support to help jobseekers get back into work.

“Everyone in our area deserves to be supported to access great employment opportunities. 

“But for too long we’ve had an outdated, national approach to employment support which doesn’t take individual circumstances into account and isn’t tailored enough.

“By being part of this Pathfinder, we can help design the next generation of public employment services. 

“Support more local people to access secure, well-paid jobs. 

“And unlock more of the potential we’ve got in our district to build a stronger local economy for everyone who lives in Wakefield.”

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