A multi-million pound employment scheme has been extended extended across York and North Yorkshire to boost job opportunities.
The Get Britain Working Economic Inactivity Trailblazer has been extended to 2027, with a further investment of up to £10 million.
The programme was originally announced as a 12-month programme, running until March 2026, but will now continue for an additional year following confirmation from the Department for Work and Pensions.
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."
The scheme focuses on supporting people out of work due to ill health, helping employers offer suitable job opportunities, and improving collaboration across services.
It also addresses barriers such as age, low skills, caring responsibilities, and long-term unemployment.
In its first year, the trailblazer aims to support 1,500 jobseekers, 500 workers who need additional support, and 150 businesses.
Pat McFadden, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, 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."
North Yorkshire Council, City of York Council, and NHS Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board have been confirmed as delivery partners for the first year.
Cllr Michael Harrison, executive member for health and adult services at North Yorkshire Council, 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."
Cllr Pete Kilbane, executive member for economy and culture at City of York Council, added: "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."
Full details about the trailblazer, including an update event scheduled for December 4, are available on the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority website: https://yorknorthyorks-ca.gov.uk/project/get-britain-working-inactivity-trailblazer/
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