York employers who participate in a programme to tackle long-term joblessness will get help with staff long-term sickness absences

Monday, 11 August 2025 13:50

By Joe Gerrard

- a senior councillor has said amid concerns about its effectiveness.

City of York Council plans to boost employment through an Inactivity Trailblazer, which includes support to address barriers to people working and training opportunities, were approved on Tuesday, August 5.

Cllr Lucy Steels-Walshaw, York Council’s health spokesperson, said the programme backed by around £ 1 million in Government funding would offer tailored support to help get people back into work.

But local disability rights campaigner Flick Williams said the scheme had been hurriedly rolled out out by the Government alongside stringent cuts to benefits.

The £1 million given to the council is from £10 million granted to the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority to run the Inactivity Trailblazer regionally.

The region was one of eight chosen by the Labour Government for the one-year programmes.

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