West Yorkshire has been selected as one of nine trailblazer regions as part of the Government's plans to boost living standards and grow the economy by unlocking work for 2.8m people who are economically inactive due to long-term sickness.

Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: ‘By joining up health, skills and work with a multimillion-pound plan that's backed by the Government, we'll ensure that everyone can get the personalised support they need to succeed.'

By bringing health services together with providers of employment support – including job centres, charities, councils and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority – the region's Mayor and NHS leadership aim to deliver the ‘healthiest residents and workforce in England by 2040'.

The launch of the plan follows the selection of Wakefield by the Government to be the first place to trial a new, more personalised Jobs and Careers Service for jobseekers.

Under the plans individuals may receive expert employment advice as part of their NHS treatment or care pathway.

There are 100,000 people who are out of work because of a disability or health condition in West Yorkshire.

Rob Webster, chief executive of the NHS West Yorkshire ICB, said: ‘This is good news for people in West Yorkshire and the wider region. We know good work is a route to good health. We also know that there are people in West Yorkshire who are economically inactive due to their health conditions who want to be supported to stay in work or get back into work.

‘We have a history of good collaboration in West Yorkshire and will use this resource to show how better, joined up support for people can change lives.'