Cambridgeshire and Peterborough’s reputation for innovation and prosperity masks a sobering reality: tens of thousands of residents are trapped in joblessness, ill health, and poverty. As the Combined Authority prepares to debate the “Get Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Working Plan,” on November 26, the numbers make for grim reading—and demand urgent, radical action.
“A terrible waste of talent”
“I am unashamedly ambitious about economic growth because that’s how we get new jobs, homes and transport. Growth makes people’s lives better. Having the right skills is crucial to being able to benefit,” writes Paul Bristow, Mayor of Cambridgeshire & Peterborough, in the report’s foreword.
“As a region, we are doing better than most, with 78% of working-age residents in a job – above the average for England. However, that still leaves a fifth of people out of work.
“Across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, nearly 68,000 residents are claiming out of work benefits and 22,500 are economically inactive due to long-term sickness.
“Despite many people with health conditions being both able and motivated to work, too many lack access to opportunities and the support they need to get a job.
“This is a terrible waste of their talent, trapping them in circumstances that are bad for them and bad for society. It also places a growing burden on taxpayers.”
The numbers no one wants to see
The report’s executive summary lays out the stark facts: “Currently, 78.1% of working-age residents are employed, leaving over 68,000 people on out-of-work benefits and 22,500 economically inactive due to long-term sickness. This plan aims to unlock their potential and reduce inequalities that hinder inclusive growth.”
Fenland and Peterborough are the epicentres of the crisis. “Fenland (24.7%) and Peterborough (20.8%) have the highest rates of adults not in employment, education, or training, above the national average (18.6%). Out-of-work benefit claimants [are] concentrated in Peterborough (18.2%) and Fenland (15.8%).”
The gender gap is stark: “Female employment rate (73%) lags behind male (82.9%), creating a 9.9 pp gap, wider than the national gap (6.7 pp). Women are twice as likely as men to be NEET, mainly due to caring responsibilities (7% vs 0.7%).”
For those with no qualifications, the inactivity rate soars to 42%— “nearly four times higher than those with Level 4+ qualifications (11%).”
Sickness, disability, and the vicious cycle
The report highlights: “126,000 people (23.8%) aged 16–64 have a disability or work-limiting illness; Fenland has the highest rate (34.1%). Employment rate for disabled people is 59.3%, 24.7 pp below non-disabled peers.”
Jan Thomas, Chief Executive of the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Integrated Care Board, writes: “Good work is one of the most powerful determinants of health, and good health is essential for people to thrive in work.
“Yet across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, too many residents face barriers caused by long-term sickness, disability, and health inequalities. These challenges not only limit individual opportunity but also place pressure on our health and care system and the wider economy.”
“Our shared ambition is clear: to achieve an 80% employment rate, reduce health-related economic inactivity, and create a system where health and work reinforce each other. By doing so, we will not only improve lives but also strengthen the resilience of our communities and our economy.”
Low pay, no progression
Job quality is another sore point. “12.1% of employees are in low-paid jobs, rising to 39.8% for those with no qualifications, low pay most prevalent in Fenland, Peterborough, and East Cambridgeshire. Two in five employees report no career progression opportunities, with higher rates among women, disabled workers, and part-time staff.”
The report adds: “Low pay is most prevalent in Fenland, Peterborough and East Cambridgeshire. More recent data for earnings show that: Rates of median pay in 2024 were 14%, 10%, 10% and 5% below the national average in Fenland, Peterborough, East Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire.”
Young people at risk
The region’s NEET rate among 16–17-year-olds is at its highest since 2016, with 3.9% not in education, employment, or training—above the national average. In Peterborough, the rate is 5.4%. “The region’s NEET rate has been rising for the past three years (from 2.9% in 2022 to 3.9% in 2025) and, in 2025, was at its highest rate since 2016 – the earliest year of comparable data.”
Rural isolation and barriers
The report notes: “Rural areas like East Cambridgeshire and Fenland have poor access to major employment centres, limiting job opportunities. The percentage of people living within 30 minutes of a major employment centre by car is well below average (92%) in East Cambridgeshire (32%) and below average in Fenland (89%).”
The cost of ill health
“Combined costs from worklessness and sickness absence amount to approximately £100 billion annually, so there’s a strong economic case for action. The costs of ill health to the UK government is estimated to be around £50 billion a year, as a result of benefit payments, additional health costs, taxes and national Insurance.”
Programme example: Work Well
While the report does not include traditional “case studies” with named individuals, it does provide programme outcomes:
“Cambridgeshire & Peterborough’s Work Well Programme has, to date, supported 1,548 people with a ‘Thrive in Work’ or ‘Return to Work Plan’ with a goal of supporting 3,000 people by March 2026.
“At their first appointment, half of participants (50%) were employed and required support to remain in/return to work, while 43% were unemployed and seeking work, and 7% were economically inactive. Mental Health issues have been the key primary health-related barrier to work among participants.
“By the end of July 2025, 625 people had completed the WorkWell programme, with almost one third (31%, 192 people) completing their Plan and starting, returning or remaining in work, 12% completing their Plan and being unemployed (out of work but looking for work), and 18% referred on to alternative/additional employment and/or health support provision, such as specialist mental health support alongside employment/return to work support.”
The report includes feedback from local businesses: “The main impact of long-term sickness was increased workload for staff and/or pressure to find temporary cover (using temps or existing workers).
‘Impact is significant as current staff & management have to pick up the extra workload. Causes issues in team dynamic.’ ‘Small team so long-term sick impacts on ability to deliver workload, but most have returned and other staff have been accepting of the reasons for long term absence.’ ‘We often cover long term absence with temporary staff but this isn’t always a quick solution, and those temp staff often need additional support.’”
Radical solutions: the plan for change
The report doesn’t just catalogue problems—it sets out a radical, integrated plan to turn things around:
- “Integrated System Leadership: Build a unified work, health, and skills system through strong partnerships with Jobcentre Plus, NHS Integrated Care Board, councils, and employers.”
- “Health and Employment Integration: Deliver the Neighbourhood Health Implementation Programme in Fenland and Peterborough and the continued delivery of Work Well. Expand supported employment via the £15m Connect to Work programme.”
- “Youth Guarantee: Reduce NEET rates through enhanced careers services, paid internships, and a Youth Employment Hub in Peterborough.”
- “Skills Development: Implement the Adult Skills Fund, Skills Bootcamps, and Local Skills Improvement Plan; close Level 3 attainment and HE access gaps.”
- “Employer Engagement: Increase Disability Confident employers, tackle labour shortages in priority sectors (Advanced Manufacturing, Clean Tech, Digital, Life Sciences, Construction, Health & Social Care) and our foundational economy, and grow apprenticeships.”
- “Infrastructure and Access: Deliver a Skills Capital programme to tackle FE infrastructure challenges and review transport policies to improve participation in work and training.”
“We can’t afford to fail”
Mayor Bristow’s message is clear: “I want us to bring opportunity. Our priority sectors are already creating the future jobs required, from construction to digital technology. By offering everyone a path to reaching their potential, we can ensure they are able to get a job or progress in their careers. This plan will help to make us all healthier, wealthier and happier.”
Laura Moig, Central Midlands Group Director, Jobcentre Plus, adds: “We are committed to working with the Combined Authority, Integrated Care Board and local partners to help more people into good jobs and careers.
“This plan sets out how we will align employment support with skills and health services, ensuring tailored help for those facing barriers—whether through ill health, caring responsibilities, or lack of qualifications.
“Together, through initiatives like Work Well, Connect to Work, and the Youth Guarantee, we will reduce economic inactivity and create opportunities for everyone to thrive.”
The challenge ahead
The report is a wake-up call for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. The numbers are sobering, but the solutions are within reach—if leaders, employers, and communities act together.
The next chapter for the county will be written not just by its successes, but by how it lifts up those left behind.
All images for this article provided by Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority
