The Healthy Working Life Board met to discuss the employment landscape in West Yorkshire, the devolution of employment support, and the future shape of the board itself. Key discussions focused on improving data sharing, addressing youth unemployment, and integrating health and employment services.

Employment Landscape Data

The board received an update on the employment landscape in West Yorkshire. The employment rate gap with the national average showed signs of narrowing, and economic inactivity had improved. However, concerns were raised about the increasing number of young people aged 18-24 claiming jobless benefits, with Bradford showing a claimant rate double the national average. The report also noted that long-term unemployment is on an upward trend, with older people and men being more at risk. The prevalence of young people not in education, employment, or training (NEET) aged 16-17 remained stable, but at-risk groups such as those with mental health conditions or who are care leavers had significantly higher NEET rates. The data also indicated that while the overall employee count in West Yorkshire had declined slightly, it remained higher than pre-pandemic levels. Online job postings showed signs of recovery, though recruitment activity intensity was lower than the national average.

Devolution of Employment Support

The board discussed the implications of government announcements regarding the devolution of employment support. The Rewiring the State statement outlined plans for mayors to gain control over 16-19 educational budgets, shape technical and vocational pathways from age 14, and lead devolved employment support services. The devolution of employment support is expected to begin with support for the long-term unemployed from 2028. The current approach in West Yorkshire was described as fragmented, with statutory support delivered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and nationally commissioned programmes often having limited local control. The case for devolution was considered strong due to West Yorkshire being a functional labour market, with significant travel-to-work patterns. The board was informed that further details would be published in a Devolution White Paper and the final report of the Milburn Review. The aim is to move towards a system that promotes collaboration, has sustained capacity, and focuses on areas and cohorts of greatest need, moving away from a programmatic siloed approach.

West Yorkshire Employment Support Review

An update was provided on the West Yorkshire Employment Support Review, which aims to create a long-term, coherent, and implementable vision for an integrated system of support. The review, led by KADA Research, has involved extensive stakeholder engagement. Emerging recommendations propose a regional steward responsible for the overall strategy, funding principles, and regional intelligence, and a local steward responsible for setting local priorities, managing the local system, and local employer engagement. The final report is expected in December 2026, with an action plan to follow. Discussions highlighted the need to address short-term funding constraints and to influence national devolution discussions to ensure place-based decision-making.

Update on NHS Reforms and Alignment to Healthy Working Life Agenda

The board received an update on the West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board's (ICB) transition to a strategic commissioning organisation. This change, part of wider NHS reforms, aims to maximise resources and focus on population health outcomes, prevention, and value. The ICB's new operating model, launched in September 2026, emphasizes strategic commissioning, partnership development, and system leadership. The Working Well commissioning intention within the ICB's Strategic Commissioning Plan 2026-2031 was highlighted as crucial for the work and health agenda. The development of Place Provider Partnerships (PPPs) and neighbourhood health arrangements were presented as key mechanisms for integrating health, employment, and wider wellbeing support. Vocational rehabilitation was cited as an example of integrating employment outcomes into healthcare pathways, with the cardiac vocational rehabilitation model being recognised as best practice. The board was asked to endorse the principle that good work should remain a key health outcome and to support the development of PPPs and neighbourhood health arrangements.

Delivery Overview

An overview of the Healthy Working Life programme's progress was presented, highlighting its aim to improve health and employment outcomes and make West Yorkshire the healthiest workforce in England by 2040. The programme integrates health, employment, and skills interventions. Key delivery strands include Employment West Yorkshire, which acts as the principal delivery mechanism for employment support across local authorities, and targeted interventions for individuals and employers. The Economic Inactivity Trailblazer programme exceeded its year 1 targets, and year 2 activity is underway. The Health and Growth Accelerator is delivering a range of initiatives, with early evidence showing positive health and economic participation improvements. Connect to Work is progressing, with a regional deliverer expected to be appointed soon. WorkWell mobilisation is also continuing at pace. The Creative Health Strategy is in its draft phase, with recommendations focusing on sustainable commissioning and workforce development. An interim evaluation found the programme performing strongly against targets, but highlighted challenges in data sharing, outcomes measurement, and the need for stronger feedback loops from delivery into design.

Future Shape of the Board

The board discussed proposals to evolve into a Region of Learning and Creativity (ROLC) Board. This change is driven by anticipated greater devolution to West Yorkshire and the need for a board that can provide strategic oversight across a broader agenda, encompassing education, skills, work, health, and labour market policy. The ROLC Board would have strategic oversight over four themes: Inspiring Futures, Fulfilling Lives, Employer Excellence, and A System that Works for all. The membership would be expanded to include new members with expertise in these areas, and discussions covered representation from local authorities, the health sector (including a potential Deputy Mayor for Health), trade unions, and schools. The proposal is to replace the Healthy Working Life Board with the ROLC Board, with the first meeting scheduled for February 2027.

The meeting also included updates on apologies for absence, declarations of interest, and the minutes of the previous meeting. The date of the next meeting was confirmed as Wednesday, 10 February 2027.