This meeting of the Officer Key Decision will consider a report detailing the government's Economically Inactive Trailblazer programme and the allocated funding to the London Borough of Newham via Local London. The report recommends that the Corporate Director of Inclusive Economy and Housing agrees to accept the £882,280 Trailblazer grant funding.

Here are the topics scheduled to be discussed:

Economically Inactive Trailblazer Programme

The Officer Key Decision will consider a report regarding the acceptance of grant funding to deliver on the Economically Inactive Trailblazer programme.

The Economically Inactive Trailblazers is part of the UK Government's Get Britain Working initiative, which aims to address rising levels of economic inactivity¹. The programme focuses on addressing the barriers faced by groups disproportionately affected by economic inactivity, including single parents, individuals with long-term health conditions, and residents aged 50+.

The report notes that across the UK, an estimated 3 million people are economically inactive, with 1.9 million wanting to work but facing barriers such as health conditions or disabilities. In Newham, the challenges are particularly pronounced, with 26% of working-age residents economically inactive compared to the national average of 21% .

The Trailblazer programme is designed to test innovative approaches to engaging and supporting economically inactive residents through wrap-around support. Funding has been allocated to sub-regional partnerships, with Newham forming part of the Local London consortium.

Local London, in partnership with member boroughs, has agreed an overall delivery plan which includes three main strands:

• Economic Inactivity Support Programme
• Business Start-Up and Self-Employment Support
• Childcare Support Fund

The council intends to deliver the programme through Our Newham, building on experience delivering similar programmes including, UKSPF², IPSPC³, IPSDA⁴, and Supported Employment initiatives.

The report states that to deliver on the first strand, there are proposals to create a new digital platform to enhance personalised support through AI-powered job matching, career guidance, and barrier reduction. The council will also provide wraparound support to residents who are economically inactive, including employment rights training, financial advice, and skills development.

To deliver on the second strand, Newham will expand its enterprise support offer to help economically inactive residents pursue self-employment and entrepreneurship as a pathway into sustainable work. Support will include training, mentoring, and tailored business advice, with a focus on digital skills, financial literacy, and confidence-building.

The third strand will be delivered via a combined approach to support and empower residents to understand their entitlement to childcare support and how to access it. Residents will also be able to access funding through participant costs to support any transition into employment.

The report includes a breakdown of the outcomes assigned to Newham via Local London:

• Number of economically inactive people engaged local support services - 116
• Number of people engaged in job-searching following support - 34
• Number of people in employment, including self employment, following support - 34
• Number of people reporting increased employability through development of interpersonal skills - 45
• Number of 'good work' jobs - 8
• Number of economically inactive residents onboarded (strand 2) - 34
• Number of economically inactive residents engaged in business activities - 34
• Number of business plans created - 34
• Grant costs calculated via business plan - 20
• Number of grants issued - Up to 5K - 10
• Number of economically inactive entrepreneurs upskilled in AI/Digital - 20
• Number of business start-Ups - 7

The report recommends that the Corporate Director of Inclusive Economy and Housing agrees to accept the allocation of Trailblazer grant funding of £882,280 and approve the grant delivery in line with the grant funding guidance.

The report notes that this approach aligns with the Newham Growth Plan for Jobs, Skills and good work. It also aligns with national priorities outlined in the Get Britain Working White Paper and Trailblazer programme promotes emphasising integrated, locally led solutions that use data and technology to tackle economic inactivity.

The Trailblazer (DWP) delivery plan and grant funding agreement was issued in September 2025. Funding for the Newham Trailblazer programme for all three strands is £882,280 for April 2025 to March 2026.

The report also considers alternative options, including not accepting the grant funding, but this was not recommended.