By KLTV Newsdesk –

Ambitious plan aims to create the healthiest, most inclusive workforce in England by 2040

A bold £37 million investment has been unveiled by Mayor Tracy Brabin to support West Yorkshire residents who are out of work due to health conditions or disabilities, with the aim of transforming lives, boosting the economy and creating the healthiest workforce in England by 2040.

The “Healthy Working Life” plan, developed in partnership with the NHS and shaped by residents and employers, promises personalised support that links employment services with healthcare, helping people overcome barriers to work while addressing long-standing inequalities.

A Joined-Up Approach to Health and Employment

The plan brings together job centres, charities, local councils and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, ending siloed working and offering wraparound services tailored to individual needs. This could include embedding employment advice within NHS care pathways.

Mayor Tracy Brabin hailed the announcement as a transformative moment: “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 multimillion-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.”

Wakefield at the Forefront of Innovation

The plan’s launch comes as Wakefield is selected to pilot a new, more personalised Jobs and Careers Service, designed to replace the current “tick box” welfare approach. Jobcentres will work more closely with employers and local leaders to tailor services to individual needs.

Employment Minister Alison McGovern MP said: “Our one-size-fits-all, tick box approach to jobs support is outdated and does not serve those looking to better their lives through work.

“We are building a proper public employment service in partnership with local leaders that truly meets community challenges and unlocks opportunity.

“The launch of the Pathfinder in Wakefield is the first step in this transformation as we continue to Get Britain Working, boost living standards and put more money in people’s pockets, under our Plan for Change.”

Wakefield Council Leader, Cllr Denise Jeffery, welcomed the pilot: “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.”

Backing People and Employers

West Yorkshire currently has around 100,000 people unable to work due to health or disability. Consultation with residents revealed a strong desire to work for reasons of financial stability, self-worth and social connection—but too many feel locked out of the labour market.

Employers, too, voiced their willingness to adapt, with best practices including skills-based hiring and flexible working arrangements.

Rob Webster CBE, Chief Executive of the NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board, said:  “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.”

Five Priorities for a Healthier, Wealthier West Yorkshire

The Healthy Working Life plan sets out five strategic priorities:

1. Stronger Partnerships: A new “Healthy Working Life” board, co-led by the Mayor and NHS ICB, will oversee a reform of local services to ensure integration across health and employment sectors.

2. Support for Employers: SMEs will receive help to recruit and retain staff with health conditions, including financial aid and access to HR and Occupational Therapy expertise.

3. Incentives to Work: Funded placements, financial support for employers, and comprehensive wraparound assistance will help people with health issues return to or remain in work.

4. Community-Led Support: Investment in the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise sector will reach people furthest from employment with bespoke, on-the-ground services.

5. Peer Learning Networks: New forums for residents, employers and charities to share experiences and access training and support.

With only 3% of people returning to work after a year out due to health conditions, this plan represents a significant intervention to reverse that trend and unlock economic potential across the region.

The full plan is available to read at: work-and-health-plan-full-report.pdf