A new report focusing on reducing the gap in life expectancy in Northumberland through access to employment has been endorsed by councillors.
Findings from the Institute of Health Equity’s report, ‘Reducing Inequalities in Health in Northumberland through Employment’, were presented to the County Council’s Cabinet.
Glen Sanderson, leader of Northumberland County Council, said: "Playing our part in tackling inequalities is an issue we have made a key priority for the Council, and I am so pleased that we are making progress.
"This is largely due to the partnership working we enjoy with voluntary and community groups, and I am really grateful to them for this."
The report recommends a number of actions:
- Improve accessibility and incentives so more people want to work.
- Support micro/small employers to hire apprentices/ those with health conditions.
- Improve the pipeline of trained staff for the future.
- Increase quality of work and employment opportunities through a strengthened social value system.
Northumberland County Council says it will use the recommendations to provide "strategic direction to ongoing work".
The council said this is designed to build on work begun at the 2022 Tackling Inequalities Summit, which included stakeholders and senior leaders from the County Council, the NHS, voluntary and private sector.
Since then, a series of sessions have taken place focused on themes such as employment, housing and the voluntary sector.
In 2024, the Northumberland County Partnership was formed, bringing together Northumberland’s larger institutions and employers.
It set a goal to reduce inequalities in 'healthy life expectancy' by 2044.
Mr Sanderson added: "We invest a lot in our Northumberland Skills service which lays on a wide series of learning courses that help to develop job prospects.
"Getting a job usually leads to new confidence and brighter prospects and can be a significant driver in reducing inequalities."
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