New regional programme will help residents back to work

Cheshire and Warrington is set to launch a new programme worth up to £4.5 million a year to support residents back into work.

In March 2024, it was estimated that 18,500 people living in the region are economically inactive but want to find a job.

Called Connect to Work, the new programme is funded by central Government. At its next meeting on Friday 29 November, Cheshire and Warrington’s Joint Committee will be asked to agree to oversee its delivery to 1,300 residents each year in a co-ordinated and consistent way.

Planned for launch in August 2025, it will support people with disabilities, long-term health conditions or who experience complex barriers to finding work. It will help them identify what they want to achieve and support them to find jobs, as well as providing ongoing support once they are in-work.

Cheshire West and Chester Council will act as lead and accountable body for the new Connect to Work. 

Cllr Karen Shore, Deputy Leader for Cheshire West and Chester Council, and Joint Committee lead for skills, employment and inclusion said:

“This is a really exciting time for Cheshire and Warrington as we continue to explore the opportunities that devolution can bring to the sub-region.  This new Connect to Work programme is a chance to demonstrate how Cheshire East, Warrington and Cheshire West and Chester Councils, alongside Enterprise Cheshire and Warrington, can work effectively together to improve the lives of their residents, helping them to overcome their barriers to seeking and sustaining employment. 

Not only is this of immense value to the individuals themselves, it will also help to ensure that local businesses are able to fill their vacancies and thrive. 

This project supports the Cheshire and Warrington ambition of supporting sustainable and inclusive growth across the sub-region.”

The Joint Committee, which comprises the Leaders and Deputy Leaders of Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Chester and Warrington Councils, alongside the Chair of Cheshire and Warrington Business Advisory Board, provides leadership on strategic economic issues for the region.  

At the same meeting, the Joint Committee will also consider amending its terms of reference to allow it to provide oversight and direction for potential devolution to the region.  

Changing its terms of reference would enable the Joint Committee to discuss and guide a potential devolution agreement with central government. It would enable the Joint Committee to form specific recommendations about a devolution agreement that would then be put to each council for a final, formal decision. 

This follows a positive meeting with the Minister for Local Government and English Devolution, Jim McMahon, in September to open discussions about a devolution agreement for the Cheshire and Warrington region.   

Any changes agreed by the Joint Committee would then have to be agreed by the three councils in Cheshire and Warrington.  Equally, as part of forming a potential devolution agreement for the region, residents will be asked to share their views.