York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority has been chosen as one of a number of "trailblazer areas" to trial ways of reducing economic inactivity, as announced by the government today (November 26).

Eight such "place-based trailblazers" will be run with the help of relevant regional authorities (including Mayoral Combined Authorities, London, and the Welsh Government).

The news comes as the government also published a Get Britain Working White Paper, which mentions "£125 million of funding in 2025/26" across the eight trailblazers.

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

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

David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, said: "We have been asked by government to bring together and maximise existing support and test new approaches as we develop this trailblazer offer further.

"Healthy and thriving communities are at the centre of my vision for York and North Yorkshire.

"We’re incredibly excited and passionate to bring this trailblazer to York and North Yorkshire and help people get healthy and get back to work.

"We will ensure it delivers for our region, connecting people to opportunities, as well as benefitting the national fact-finding work led by government."

Separately from the economic inactivity trailblazer scheme, there are also eight "place-based Youth Guarantee trailblazers" planned.

The Get Britain Working White Paper, which contains further details, is available to read at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/get-britain-working-white-paper/get-britain-working-white-paper