Sixteen “trailblazer” authorities to receive £170m in funding for employment programmes, employment white paper reveals

The Government has promised the "biggest employment reforms in a generation", which include plans to introduce £170m in funding for "trailblazer" employment programmes in 16 selected mayoral authorities, Welsh councils and London boroughs.

In the ''Get Britain Working White Paper'', published on Tuesday (26 November), the Government said it plans to invest £125m in eight areas across England and Wales, to boost local work, health and skills support, and a further £45m in eight "youth trailblazer" local authority regions.

It said the changes are aimed at addressing "stark figures" that show almost one and a half million people are unemployed, over nine million people are inactive, and a record 2.8 million people are out of work due to long-term sickness.

The white paper said the eight authorities selected for the youth trailblazer schemes "will design and test how different elements of the guarantee can be brought together into a coherent offer for young people, with clear leadership and accountability and proactive engagement to make sure no young person misses out".

"All trailblazers will have a set of agreed outcomes, shared governance and a commitment to robust evaluation and learning," it added.

The eight "economic inactivity trailblazers" will meanwhile enable authorities to "work with the full range of partners in their areas to shape a strong, joined-up and local work, health and skills offer", according to the white paper.

The white paper stated that the inactivity trailblazers will trial new interventions and increase engagement with local people who are outside the workforce.

It added: "In three areas in England, trailblazers will receive a share of £45 million for dedicated input from the local NHS Integrated Care System (ICS).

"They will all have a set of agreed outcomes, shared governance and a commitment to robust evaluation and learning."

The "inactivity trailblazers" will be in West Yorkshire, the North East, South Yorkshire, York and North Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, two in London and one in Wales.

The "youth trailblazers" will be in Liverpool City Region, West Midlands, Tees Valley, East Midlands, West of England, Cambridgeshire & Peterborough and two in London.

Other reforms in the white paper include plans to transform job centres and measures to boost young people's access to apprenticeships, quality training and education opportunities.

It also details efforts to expand mental health support to reduce waiting lists in areas with the highest levels of economic inactivity.

The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Liz Kendall, said the reforms would "break down barriers to opportunity, help people to get into work and on at work, allow local leaders to boost jobs and growth, and give our children and young people the best opportunities to get on in life".

The Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, meanwhile said: "The Secretary of State has seen for herself the difference that our Live Well approach is already making in Greater Manchester, where our brilliant community partners are building trust and helping break down barriers to work and wellbeing.

"Through our new trailblazer, and with Government backing, we can build on these strong foundations and help more people find the sense of purpose that comes with good work. That is how we will help everyone to achieve their potential, ease pressure on our public services, and deliver growth in our city-region and across the country."

Mayor of the Liverpool City Region Steve Rotheram added: "Devolution is already making a huge difference to people's lives in the Liverpool City Region. We've helped thousands of people into work, created opportunities for young people through apprenticeships, and supported adults to gain the skills they need to thrive. This shows what can be achieved when decisions are made closer to the people they affect.

"That's why I welcome the Government's plans to give Mayors more of the tools and resources we need to break down the barriers keeping people out of work. Whether it's tackling skills shortages, improving childcare, or supporting people with health conditions, this is a chance to make a real difference."

Adam Carey