Overview
Between 2023 and 2024, there were 56,700 people who were economically inactive (not in employment or actively seeking employment) in Somerset. Of these, at least 16,900 people aged 16-64 were economically inactive due to long-term health conditions and/or disabilities. For some people, living with a health condition/disability can make it extremely difficult to work.
In November 2024, Somerset Council and Somerset Integrated Care Board (ICB) commissioned the Somerset Health Determinants Research Collaboration (HDRC) to carry out research into the impact of long-term health conditions and/or disabilities on work.
The Breaking Barriers study was undertaken between November 2024 and July 2025.
The purpose of the research was to:
- Better understand the causes of economic inactivity in Somerset due to ill-health and/or disability.
- Better understand the barriers and enablers to work
- Identify actionable recommendations for a fairer economy that works for everyone by preventing inactivity, making good jobs accessible to all, and helping people find, stay in, or return to work.
- Inform Somerset Council and employer networks of local interventions which could support more people in Somerset towards paid employment.
