Julie Webster, Director of Public Health introduced the report which outlined the Council’s collaborative investment to address health related worklessness and improve social, economic and health outcomes.

It was reported that good employment protects health and that there were lots of challenges with health issues associated with unemployment. The pandemic had highlighted the need to focus on work to support people to enter the job market with good quality jobs, therefore the report outlined the work that had taken place to address these issues.

The report included data around unemployment and Universal Credit claimants, which showed that there were 31,352 people in Wirral claiming Universal Credit, of which 11,131 were in employment. Members raised concerns over the significant number of people in work claiming Universal Credit and highlighted that employment wasn’t lifting people out of poverty. Further points were made in relation to housing standards and lower attainment for children living in deprived communities and it was suggested that an anti-poverty strategy could be developed.

Resolved – That

the report be noted.