When an individual of working age is not in employment and not looking for job opportunities, they are said to be economically inactive.
Economic inactivity is a significant challenge across the UK and in the South Yorkshire region. In Sheffield, there is estimated to be more than 99,000 residents that are economically inactive, as of June 2024.
Reasons for economic inactivity could include long-term sickness or a health condition, having to take care of a family member or loved one, early retirement, homelessness or personal choice. Sheffield sees a higher than average economic inactivity among young people who have exited the education system and among residents from ethnic minority communities.
South Yorkshire is one of nine £125 million backed ‘inactivity trailblazers’ across the country to launch, with the aim of helping areas with the highest levels of economic inactivity as part of the wider Plan for Change.
Backed by £18 million, South Yorkshire plans a dedicated new service working with employers to hire those with health conditions, and a new “triage” system to make it quicker and easier to connect people to employment, health, and skills support.
“For too long, whole areas of the UK have been written off and deprived of investment. We are turning the tide on this – as we believe in the potential of every single person across our country and that they deserve to benefit from the security and dignity that good work affords.
“This is why we’re investing £125 million into nine local areas to get Britain back to health and back to work – with our new approach making it quicker and easier for people to access the support they need to stay in work if they have a health condition or return to work.
“South Yorkshire is the first to kick off their innovative plans – backed by £18 million – and we will be launching more areas in the coming weeks as we put more money in people’s pockets, boost living standards and Get Britain Working under our Plan for Change.”
Work and Pensions Secretary, Liz Kendall MP
If you are an individual who would like support to get into work or a business who can provide opportunities, email opportunity@sheffield.gov.uk or call 0114 229 6188