Health and Work

Economic inactivity is a growing challenge for society, impacting both life outcomes of the population and having significant impact upon the wider economy. Data shows increasing levels of economic inactivity following the pandemic, and whilst some recent progress has been made against this trend, it remains a key societal challenge.

Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber is committed to highlighting and building upon existing regional initiatives to help people stay healthy and remain in employment. Our YHealth4Growth work clearly demonstrates that work and health are inextricably linked.  We know that being in work raises living standards and pulls people out of poverty, and a prolonged absence from work can lead to a deterioration in health and wellbeing, both due to financial strains and the absence of positive psychological and social support. It goes beyond the individual as well; good work is an important driver of health and wealth for families and communities, benefitting wider society through increased productivity, and laying the groundwork for empowering local communities.

Our white paper shows the nationally observed trend of economic inactivity is apparent across the North of England as a whole, and is particularly true in Yorkshire and the Humber. This demonstrates a real productivity gap between our region and the South.

• The North has a higher level of economic inactivity than the South and a high incidence of health inequalities resulting in high numbers of individuals economically inactive due to long-term ill health.
• The North of England loses £13.2bn of productivity a year for UK plc as a results of health inequalities.
• During the pandemic, the North had a 19% higher unemployment than the national average.
• Yorkshire and the Humber has the third lowest percentage of people in employment in England.

Organisations across the region have already recognised the scale of this challenge and the role they can play in addressing economic inactivity through tackling work-health challenges. This is evident through the creation of a range of initiatives which have already been or are in the process of being established, supporting those with ill-health to get back into employment where appropriate, and supporting those currently in work to stay healthy and remain in employment.

Initiatives

Examples of initiatives that are working well in our region include:

Barnsley Council’s Pathways to Work.

The unemployment rate in Barnsley is lower than the national average at 2.9%, and Pathways to Work enables those currently outside of the labour market to find their way into employment. It also champions employers supporting workforce health through the prioritisation of prevention initiatives and making adjustments for those with health conditions to be in good work.

Leeds Anchor Network

The Leeds Anchor Network was formed in 2018 and brings together 14 of the city’s largest employers- including the council, NHS trusts, higher and further education, culture, and utilities. They come together and focus on areas where they can make a difference for people as an employer, through procurement, through service delivery or as a civic partner.

South Yorkshire’s Working Win

Another well-evidenced initiative into work for those with health conditions is South Yorkshire’s ‘Working Win’, which provides one-on-one personal support to help people navigating around the various systems as well as supporting employers. In its seven years, the programme has helped 4,000 people back into work through its person-centered approach.

The Department for Work and Pensions for Work and Pensions WorkWell pilots

Find out about the WorkWell pilots which will support around 60,000 long-term sick or disabled people to start, stay, and succeed in work through integrated work and health support. Covering a third of Integrated Care Boards across England, the success of the pilot will inform the possible future rollout of a national WorkWell service dedicated to stemming the flow of people falling out of work due to ill health where the right adjustments and support could prevent this.  

The West Yorkshire Fair Work Charter

The West Yorkshire Fair Work Charter is an ambitious new initiative to support and celebrate the great employers across our region. It has been designed for employers of all sizes and across all sectors, to promote and recognise the positive impact of fair work on businesses and their people. Fair work can include good pay, fair and flexible working conditions, as well as greater wellbeing, diversity, and social mobility within the workplace. It’s about helping you turn your good business into a great one.

Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber is proud to be a certified member of the Fair Work Charter.

Westfield Health

Find out about Westfield Health’s dedication to making a difference to the quality of life of its customers and the communities in which they live and work. Westfield Health delivers evidence-based health and wellbeing solutions that support people, communities and workplaces to be healthier.

Sheffield Hallam University’s Physical Activity, Wellbeing and Public Health Research Group

Read about the group which conducts applied research and consultancy that supports people to lead healthy and active lives through the prevention and treatment of chronic disease. The initiative is led by Dr Anouska Carter, Principal Researcher.

Videos

Pathways to Work
Catch up on this presentation from Hannah Tower, project manager, Pathways to Work, at our June roundtable on economic inactivity.

NHS Confederation’s Health on the Line
In this episode of the Health on the Line podcast, Matthew Taylor is joined by Rt Hon Alan Milburn, former health secretary under Tony Blair. As chair of the pioneering Pathways to Work Commission, he calls for a rethink of how the NHS is perceived, arguing that its power to drive economic growth should be a core component of future health and economic policy.