A £10 million programme to help people back into employment has been extended in York and North Yorkshire.
The region’s Get Britain Working Economic Inactivity Trailblazer had initially been announced as a 12-month programme, running until March 2026. The Department for Work and Pensions has confirmed another year of activity, investing up to a further £10 million, with York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority continuing as the lead.
In a separate development, new trailblazer delivery partners have been confirmed for the first year of the programme, with North Yorkshire Council, City of York Council and NHS Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board overseeing a variety of services.
David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, said: “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.”
Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Pat McFadden said: “For too long too many people in Yorkshire have been locked out of the job market, which fails them and fails our economy.
“That is why we are doing things differently – putting local leaders in the driving seat so the right support goes to their community.
“By further investing in our trailblazers we’re helping people who were previously underserved or overlooked to build the confidence and skills they need to thrive.”
The trailblazer’s three aims are to: engage and support people out of work due to ill health; work with employers to help them provide good work opportunities; develop ways in which networks of systems and services can be joined up.
While ill health is the focus, activity also touches upon other barriers to people not able to get work, such as their age, low skills, juggling caring responsibilities, or long-term unemployment.
In the first year, the trailblazer in York and North Yorkshire aims to help 1,500 people seeking work, 500 people already in work who need support and 150 businesses.
New delivery partners for the trailblazer’s first year have commented on the support they will provide.
North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for health and adult services, Cllr Michael Harrison, said: “Over the next six months, teams across the council and in our key partner organisations in the voluntary sector and the NHS will be trialling programmes that support people into work or volunteering and which also provide health checks at work.
“Together with our partners, we look forward to bringing our energy and expertise to help people to lead healthier lives and to help them back at work.
“We’re absolutely committed to supporting those in North Yorkshire with a health need to access work or stay in a job if it’s at risk.”
Cllr Pete Kilbane, Executive Member for Economy and Culture for City of York Council, said: “This funding has the potential to have a huge impact for those who live and work in York, particularly our most disadvantaged communities, and strongly supports our ambitions to create good jobs and a thriving and inclusive local economy.
“Supporting people back into work and removing barriers to employment has many benefits both to each individual and the wider economy, unlocking hidden talent and potential and ensuring that no one is left behind.
“We are continuing to work with a range of partners to support people back into work and I can’t wait to see the positive outcomes that these programmes will have on people’s lives.”
Mark Bradley, NHS Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) North Yorkshire Place Director, said: “We acknowledge the role of the NHS in tackling this issue and are delighted to be working alongside the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority and other partners.”
Michael Ash-McMahon, the ICB’s York Place Director, added: “By harnessing the skills of social prescribers, health coaches and care coordinators, this initiative will ensure people receive the right care through their GP practice, while also connecting them to wider support available through the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority.”
Services are also provided through Knaresborough-based Better Connect, announced when the trailblazer began in May, and via the Combined Authority’s Policing, Fire and Crime team.
York and North Yorkshire is one of eight economic trailblazers in the UK, first announced by Government in November 2024. Delivery partners for the second year of the programme, 2026-27, are to be decided.
For further details about our region’s Get Britain Working Economic Inactivity Trailblazer, including information about an update event on December 4, visit our programme webpage.
Published on Monday 10 November 2025