Webinar: Tackling economic inactivity - local action on mental health and employment

Long-term sickness is now the primary driver of economic inactivity, with mental health conditions accounting for a significant and growing proportion of this trend. This presents a major challenge for local economies seeking to deliver inclusive growth, increase labour market participation, and meet workforce demand. National government has placed employment at the centre of its economic strategy, with a strong focus on reducing economic inactivity through interventions such as Get Britain Working, Keep Britain Working, and Connect to Work. At the same time, local areas are being asked to develop ambitious growth plans and respond to new devolution and local government reform opportunities. This webinar will explore how places can translate national ambition into effective local action - by integrating mental health and employment support to help more people enter, remain in, and progress in work. You will hear practical examples of how local systems are: working with employers to improve job retention and job quality. supporting people with common and severe mental health conditions to access and sustain employment. aligning health services, employment support, and economic development strategies. We will examine what works in stimulating more opportunities for those who need them, what national frameworks are needed to enable local delivery at scale, and how current reforms create a timely opportunity to embed a new, health-improving model of employment support. For local leaders in combined authorities, local government, NHS systems, and employment services, this session will provide practical insight into how mental health and employment integration can strengthen labour markets and support economic growth.