The pandemic has impacted people's lives, prompting many to review their current situation. Some may want a fuller working life, some may have more money saved after a period of working from home, some may be worried about job security or a resilient future.

The proposed "mid-life MOTs" aim to enable people to identify the skills they will need for the job journey they want, to help plan and make informed choices for the future. Free online support is given to encourage people in their 40s, 50s and 60s to be more active planners in the areas of work, wellbeing and money.

Ten local enterprise partnerships (LEPs) have been given funding to trial these schemes.

The mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, James Palmer, said: "Our localised mid-life MOT Scheme is targeted to those aged over 50 who are looking to take stock, access their future and understand the free of charge support and guidance that’s available from a group of trusted partners.

"This support will cover people’s physical and mental wellbeing, their career plan and retirement options to ensure they are able to access independent advice and make informed choices."

Minister for Pensions and Financial Inclusion Guy Opperman added: "It’s no secret I am a huge fan of this idea and I’m excited to see the results of the Business Board's, the LEP for the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough region, trials.

"While we started work on this before the pandemic, the last twelve months have bought people’s financial resilience into sharp focus – making a mid-life MOT a timely exercise for many.

"And it’s not just about retirement savings but also about enabling people to enjoy a fuller working life by helping them understand the skills they will need to learn along the way."

The Business Board will use the Mid-Life MOT to cover people’s physical and mental wellbeing, their career plan and retirement options to ensure they are able to access independent advice and make informed choices.

The trials will help the DWP understand:

  • The actions individuals take as a result of undertaking the mid-life MOT
  • The user needs among those most at risk of experiencing long term unemployment
  • The effectiveness of using local delivery channels and how these can complement the Money and Pensions Service (MAPs), the National Careers Service (NCS) and Public Health England (PHE), in supporting individuals with later life planning.