A report was recently presented to the ONE Stockport Health and Care Locality Board to analyse the economic wellbeing of residents - and the borough generally - and to make some suggestions to the board. 

Authored by Richard Mortimer, head of economy, work & skills at Stockport Council, the report identified some 'barriers' to growing the economy.  

Firstly, it pointed out that "impacts of COVID-19 have disproportionally impacted the borough's most disadvantaged residents", and that more people were clamining benefits. 

It also identified disabilities and health inequalities which were "preventing employers from accessing a diverse workforce and filling key skills gaps", as well as educational inequality, whereby residents of more disadvantaged areas were more likely to attend poorer-performing schools. 

The report went on to offer some suggestions in moving towards what it described as "an enterprising and thriving Stockport", and "a skilled and confident Stockport". 

These included:

• Promoting and supporting inclusive employment practices.
• Supporting local businesses to address mental health challenges and enable employees to be 'happy, healthy and well at work'. 
• Strengthening progression routes for young people with careers advice and strong local employer engagement.
• Support existing schemes around ageing.
• Ensuring that people have safe and appropriate housing.
• Ensuring Stockport has the best education possible for children and young people.
• Supporting early years and "ensuring our children get the best start in life". 
• Promote membership of the Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter and Real Living Wage Foundation to ensure good work, terms and conditions are provided to support the health and wellbeing of employees.

The apparent aim at the heart of the report was to emphasise the different ways in which residents are influenced by education, health, employment, and more. 

Rather than focussing on one of these factors, the report stressed how each influenced the other.

For example, it argued that improving health cannot be done without reference to other issues - education, for example, can help to improve residents' health through "early childhood education and lifelong learning opportunities, [which] can empower individuals to lead healthier lives". 

Similarly, it suggested that improving employment opportunities for residents cannot come without looking at how education can better prepare young people for work. 

Richard Mortimer himself described these relationships as a 'complex interplay', and even a 'chicken-egg situation'.  

Members of the ONE Stockport Health & Care Locality Board generally responded positively when presented with the report last Tuesday (30 May).

More details are available on the ONE Stockport website HERE.

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