Plan to get Lancashire working

By Rob Kelly

19 Jun 2025

Lancashire Combined Authority

A plan designed to Get Lancashire Working has been given the backing of the Lancashire Combined County Authority (LCCA).  

The scheme aims to help people develop their skills so they can gain employment or get a better paid, more permanent job.

The plan includes the launch of Connect to Work, a large scale supported employment programme which is due to go live in Lancashire over the summer, which is focused on people who currently struggle to find a job because they have a health condition, disability, caring responsibilities and/or other challenges to gaining sustained employment.

The scheme is part of the Government's Get Britain Working plans which were announced in November and aims to boost the employment rate across the country.

Members of the LCCA heard at a meeting on Tuesday that the plan for the county is being developed by The Lancashire Skills and Employment Hub, Lancashire County Council, Blackburn with Darwen Council and Blackpool Council alongside key partners including district councils, Integrated Care Board, JobCentre Plus, skills and employment providers and the voluntary sector.

Headlines will be submitted to the Department for Work and Pensions for consideration at the end of the month, before the final plans are presented to the LCCA in September for approval.

The plan includes:

  • an analysis of key local labour market challenges and drivers relating to the rise in economic inactivity;
  • a plan of action regarding how partners will work together to better integrate work, health and skills provision to drive improvements in the employment rate;
  • an overview of the current landscape of support for individuals and employers;
  • actions for the next 12-24 months and steps towards achieving longer-term improvements in the employment rate;
  • details of the governance and partnership approach;
  • detail of how wider stakeholders will be engaged.

Coun Stephen Atkinson, chairman of the LCCA and leader of Lancashire County Council, said: "This is a really important plan which will make a real difference to hundreds of people of all ages across the county.

"Making sure people have the opportunity to learn the right skills for good quality jobs is incredibly important to the CCA.

"We also want to make sure that everyone is given the chance to secure good employment, and they do not feel disadvantaged just because they may have a health condition or caring responsibilities.

"Giving opportunities to our young people and helping them into the job market is also a major priority for the CCA."

Coun Phil Riley, leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: “This is exactly why the CCA is important and demonstrates it has the power to change lives for the better.

"We are focused on collaboration and sharing of expertise on the issues that matter the most. Making sure our residents have the skills to take advantage of opportunities is one of our main three priorities and I’m looking forward to seeing the impact of this plan.”

Coun Lynn Williams, leader of Blackpool Council, added: “This is a great example of the CCA working together to get the best outcome for everybody in Lancashire.

“We know that finding quality jobs, regardless of ability, age or circumstance is massively important for people. “We’re working together to find additional support to ensure that anybody who needs support to learn new skills and find a job can access it, wherever they live in Lancashire.”

Enjoyed this? Read more from Rob Kelly

Latest news

1

University of Lancashire climbs 14 places in student positivity survey Happy students at ULAN

University of Lancashire climbs 14 places in student positivity survey

10 Jul 2025

2

Forbes Solicitors achieves strong growth and promotes 15 Forbes Solicitors promotions

Forbes Solicitors achieves strong growth and promotes 15

10 Jul 2025

3

Communications company raises investment will fuel global expansion Laurence Tan (Investment Associate, Praetura Ventures); Charlie Morris (Director, Corporate Finance (Mergers & Acquisitions); Ian Rose (Chairman, Audiebant); Josh Dean (CEO, Audiebant); Peter Carway (Investment Director, Praetura Ventures)

Communications company raises investment will fuel global expansion

10 Jul 2025

4

Lancaster Spirits Company announces partnership with leading whisky maker Joan Casals, Max McFarlane and Chris Pateman

Lancaster Spirits Company announces partnership with leading whisky maker

09 Jul 2025

5

Viridium appointed to support Indurent with major warehouse decarbonisation project Rebecca Latham, Gemma Cornwall and Ross Cornwall

Viridium appointed to support Indurent with major warehouse decarbonisation project

09 Jul 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
LBV123 July/August Launch Event
Lancashire Business View magazine launch
Networking
16 Jul 2025

LBV123 July/August Launch Event

Burnley College University Courses Building, Burnley, BB12 0AN

08:30 - 10:30

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

Shaping Preston's future by remembering its past
1750160034867.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Jul 2025 - 16 Jul 2025

Shaping Preston's future by remembering its past

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 20:30

Chamber Summer BBQ
LBV Hub Social
17 Jul 2025 - 17 Jul 2025

Chamber Summer BBQ

The Borough, Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1PP

17:30 - 20:00

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?
July Longer Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
29 Jul 2025 - 29 Jul 2025

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July
Longer July Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
31 Jul 2025 - 31 Jul 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Cumbria Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880461633-4862066883-1-original.20241022-110415.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
19 Sep 2025 - 19 Sep 2025

Cumbria Business Expo 2025

Carlisle Racecourse, Carlisle, CA2 4TS

09:00 - 15:00

North West Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880456273-4862066883-1-original.20241022-105445.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
24 Oct 2025 - 24 Oct 2025

North West Business Expo 2025

Bolton Stadium Hotel, Bolton, BL6 6SF

09:00 - 15:00

Lancashire Business Day 2025
241122lbvlancashiredaylhp0647web
Networking
27 Nov 2025

Lancashire Business Day 2025

Burnley FC , Burnley, BB10 4BX

12:00 - 17:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV122 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin