Working Towards Health Benefits

Apr 15 2008 By The Journal

Raising economic activity requires improvements to general wellbeing and a partnership approach, writes Melanie Laws, director of the Association of North East Councils

THE UK is enjoying a sustained period of low unemployment, but the figures mask a reality of significant levels of inactivity in the workforce. 
While excellent work is being carried out in the North East to boost economic activity - as highlighted throughout the Passionate about Employability campaign - much more still needs to be done. For behind the statistics on economic inactivity lies the reality of the major impact it has on people's lives as it fundamentally affects social and environmental wellbeing, as well as economic circumstances and prospects.

Communities with a high proportion of economic inactivity often experience the effects of physical dereliction and wider social and cultural challenges. Generations of economic inactivity can lead to perpetual economic exclusion and a culture of benefits dependency.

The relationship between health and employability is also symbiotic - ill health in the form of incapacity and the symptoms of some disabilities can prevent people from working, while work can also bring health benefits.

The links between employability and health, as well as transport and skills, were highlighted by the Association of North East Councils in an Employability Task and Finish Report published last year. This welcomed the recognition - in the Leitch Review of Skills - of the direct relationship between skills, employment and productivity and its recommendation that Government departments should work more closely together to deliver integrated sustainable employment.

In our region, there are many examples of partners working together and supporting each other to drive forward an increase in the economic activity of people and communities. And, just as we should consider the "bigger picture" of the linkages between levels of economic activity with the different facets of social, environmental and economic wellbeing, we should also view a partnership approach as the most effective way of meeting the huge challenge we face to increase participation in employment. This is happening and the prospects for the future look encouraging.