In a major move to tackle economic inactivity and boost local employment, the UK Government has announced a £10 million investment in Wales as part of its broader Get Britain Working initiative. This funding aims to support tailored employment, health, and skills services, with a focus on helping people return to work and unlocking economic growth.
The first Welsh trailblazer programme was officially launched in Denbighshire yesterday by UK Minister for Employment Alison McGovern and Welsh Government Minister for Culture, Skills and Social Partnership Jack Sargeant. The initiative marks a shift from one-size-fits-all employment strategies to personalised, community-specific support.
Key features of the programme include one-to-one mentoring, counselling, wellbeing services, and condition management support for individuals with long-term health issues. Practical support such as CV writing assistance and job search help will also be offered.
Minister McGovern emphasized the importance of inclusive growth, saying:
“Everyone deserves to thrive, including people suffering from long-term health conditions. No one will be written off and left on the scrapheap.”
Jack Sargeant echoed the sentiment, highlighting the programme’s collaborative approach:
“This investment is a crucial step in delivering integrated services that truly connect health support with employment opportunities.”
The trailblazer will initially focus on Denbighshire, Blaenau Gwent, and Neath Port Talbot—areas identified as having high levels of economic inactivity. These regions will design employment strategies tailored to their unique needs, backed by resources and expertise from both the UK and Welsh Governments.
Secretary of State for Wales, Jo Stevens, added:
“This £10 million programme to get people into work will deliver tailored support where it is most needed. It builds on the success of existing schemes and offers hope and opportunity to communities across Wales.”
The Welsh trailblazer follows a similar launch in South Yorkshire earlier this month. More regions—including Greater Manchester, the North East, and several parts of London—are set to roll out their own trailblazers in the coming weeks.
This initiative is part of the UK Government’s £240 million Get Britain Working reforms, which also include increases to the National Living and Minimum Wages, new employment rights legislation, and a renewed focus on transforming Jobcentres to support skills and careers development.
The funding to Wales is also part of the Prime Minister’s broader Plan for Change, aimed at resetting devolved relationships and empowering local leaders to drive growth from the ground up.
Additional Info:
• Nine economic inactivity trailblazers have been launched, backed by £125 million in total.
• This move supports the Prime Minister’s promise of a new era of devolution and inclusive economic recovery.
