Third of working population jobless, shock report reveals

8:28am Tuesday 27th November 2012 in News

ALMOST one third of Bolton’s working age population are “economically inactive”, a new report has revealed.

And more than 80 per cent of those have admitted they do not want a job.

In October, the number of people claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance in Bolton fell by 127 to 8,419. From the total number of claimants, 5,592 are men and 2,827 are women. The figures have been released as part of Bolton Council’s Health and Wellbeing Strategy, which sets out the key health priorities for the borough over the next three years.

The report says being out of work leads to poor health and has a “significant negative psychological impact”, and reveals 49,600 people in Bolton—29.5 per cent of the borough’s working age population — are “economically inactive”.

The term covers a broad range of people, from stay-at-home parents, unpaid carers, students, long and short-term sick, early retirees and the “discouraged unemployed” — people who have simply stopped looking for work.

The overall figure is higher than both the North West and national averages.

The government claims the figure includes people who have been “abandoned to live on a life of benefits” and says it is changing the system.

Cllr Andy Morgan, who sits on Bolton Council's Health, Overview and Scrutiny committee and is Bolton Conservatives’ deputy leader and health spokesman, said: “Not working shouldn’t be a lifestyle choice, where you’ve got people doing no work while others are going out for 40 or 45 hours a week.”

Barry Lyon, chief executive of Bolton Citizens Advice Bureau, added: “You have to look at the full picture and realise that 30- odd thousand of these will be long-term sick and carers.

“With the discouraged unemployed, there’s not enough investment into getting people into a situation where they can get real jobs. We need to break that cycle.”

Bolton Council leader Cliff Morris said: “My view is if they can work they should, but what about carers, are they not working?

They probably work harder than anyone out there and we have a responsibility to these people. I agree working is important to mental and physical health but as a long as there are jobs out there, there aren’t any at the moment.”

The Health and Wellbeing Strategy for Bolton was adopted yesterday.

Comments (18)

12:29pm Tue 27 Nov 12

_A5HA11_ says...

I wonder how many of these people on benefits actually want to work ?

and I wonder how many people will earn less if they got a job than what they’d get on benefits?
I wonder how many of these people on benefits actually want to work ? and I wonder how many people will earn less if they got a job than what they’d get on benefits? _A5HA11_

12:30pm Tue 27 Nov 12

_A5HA11_ says...

I wonder how many of these people on benefits actually want to work ?
and I wonder how many people will earn less if they got a job than what they’d get on benefits?
I wonder how many of these people on benefits actually want to work ? and I wonder how many people will earn less if they got a job than what they’d get on benefits? _A5HA11_

6:17pm Tue 27 Nov 12

duffbikes says...

Well now councillor Morris is on board the accounting should be spot on, after all his experience at the NHS Trust will stand him in good stead.
Well now councillor Morris is on board the accounting should be spot on, after all his experience at the NHS Trust will stand him in good stead. duffbikes

8:00pm Tue 27 Nov 12

grimtown says...

The worrying scenario to all this is businesses in Bolton is reliant on benefits staying at a good level. This is unlikely to happen in the current economic climate. Cllr Morris has once again brushed the real issue with Bolton’s social & economic problems. Spain is in the **** with 25% unemployment as for Bolton ask Cllr Morris he thinks its great..
The worrying scenario to all this is businesses in Bolton is reliant on benefits staying at a good level. This is unlikely to happen in the current economic climate. Cllr Morris has once again brushed the real issue with Bolton’s social & economic problems. Spain is in the **** with 25% unemployment as for Bolton ask Cllr Morris he thinks its great.. grimtown

8:05pm Tue 27 Nov 12

grimtown says...

duffbikes wrote:
Well now councillor Morris is on board the accounting should be spot on, after all his experience at the NHS Trust will stand him in good stead.
To destroy the social and economic future of Bolton! But as long as he keeps his pension and perks he'll not be bothered. One third not working and he shows no concern, he is not interested in the employment figures only what he can take from any situation. There has been no major employer locating to Bolton for decades offering quality jobs to the residents.
[quote][p][bold]duffbikes[/bold] wrote: Well now councillor Morris is on board the accounting should be spot on, after all his experience at the NHS Trust will stand him in good stead.[/p][/quote]To destroy the social and economic future of Bolton! But as long as he keeps his pension and perks he'll not be bothered. One third not working and he shows no concern, he is not interested in the employment figures only what he can take from any situation. There has been no major employer locating to Bolton for decades offering quality jobs to the residents. grimtown

8:06pm Tue 27 Nov 12

grimtown says...

The worrying scenario to all this is businesses in Bolton is reliant on benefits staying at a good level. This is unlikely to happen in the current economic climate. Cllr Morris has once again brushed the real issue with Bolton’s social & economic problems. Spain is in the **** with 25% unemployment as for Bolton ask Cllr Morris he thinks its great..
The worrying scenario to all this is businesses in Bolton is reliant on benefits staying at a good level. This is unlikely to happen in the current economic climate. Cllr Morris has once again brushed the real issue with Bolton’s social & economic problems. Spain is in the **** with 25% unemployment as for Bolton ask Cllr Morris he thinks its great.. grimtown

8:10pm Tue 27 Nov 12

grimtown says...

50,000 and no regeneration to attract empolyers.
50,000 and no regeneration to attract empolyers. grimtown

8:11pm Tue 27 Nov 12

grimtown says...

50,000 and no regeneration to attract empolyers.
50,000 and no regeneration to attract empolyers. grimtown

8:21pm Tue 27 Nov 12

grimtown says...

50,000 inactive and no regeneration to attract empolyers. No leisure facilities plenty of pot holes
50,000 inactive and no regeneration to attract empolyers. No leisure facilities plenty of pot holes grimtown

8:25pm Tue 27 Nov 12

grimtown says...

50,000 inactive and no regeneration to attract empolyers. Is 50% 60% 70% unemployment ok by cllr Morris
50,000 inactive and no regeneration to attract empolyers. Is 50% 60% 70% unemployment ok by cllr Morris grimtown

9:48pm Tue 27 Nov 12

Citizen Cane says...

These shocking figures tell you everything you need to know about the real cause of the economic downturn. The UK simply does not work.

This is the first symptom of the death spiral into third world status...with Cllr Morris and his ilk merrily leading the dance.
These shocking figures tell you everything you need to know about the real cause of the economic downturn. The UK simply does not work. This is the first symptom of the death spiral into third world status...with Cllr Morris and his ilk merrily leading the dance. Citizen Cane

11:02pm Tue 27 Nov 12

DavidSmeth says...

It's bloody shocking. Morris and his gang must be happy as larry with the way our town is going down the pan
It's bloody shocking. Morris and his gang must be happy as larry with the way our town is going down the pan DavidSmeth

10:38am Wed 28 Nov 12

Hough64 says...

_A5HA11_ wrote:
I wonder how many of these people on benefits actually want to work ?
and I wonder how many people will earn less if they got a job than what they’d get on benefits?
Have you ever had the experience of being made redundant and have to go on benefits? To say such a thing suggests that you are living with the idea it could never happen to you. Well it can so dont judge people that you know nothing about.
[quote][p][bold]_A5HA11_[/bold] wrote: I wonder how many of these people on benefits actually want to work ? and I wonder how many people will earn less if they got a job than what they’d get on benefits?[/p][/quote]Have you ever had the experience of being made redundant and have to go on benefits? To say such a thing suggests that you are living with the idea it could never happen to you. Well it can so dont judge people that you know nothing about. Hough64

3:54pm Wed 28 Nov 12

_A5HA11_ says...

Hough64 wrote:
_A5HA11_ wrote: I wonder how many of these people on benefits actually want to work ? and I wonder how many people will earn less if they got a job than what they’d get on benefits?
Have you ever had the experience of being made redundant and have to go on benefits? To say such a thing suggests that you are living with the idea it could never happen to you. Well it can so dont judge people that you know nothing about.
I have when I was like 18-19 but never want to go back on it so I went to college got the grades then got a proper job that’s not dead end and has the opportunity to move up plus I got on with a global company. It gives that job security doesn’t it, see thinking through it I made the right moves at the right times and now I have the opportunity to move anywhere in the world which has the company in it. I did it by myself and I’m only 25 so I turned it around in 6 years not quite so long really and people that blame the current climate, mope around blaming something else are weak and I have no time for!!! I put the effort In I get the reward simple like my granddad told me when I was young “whatever you put into life you will always get it back” and “no matter what people say money will always talk louder”. How about this one Hough64 if your job was so profitable why make you redundant? Surly keeping the best staff making the most money for the comapny would be the better option don’t you think? . I’ve had mates leave a job on a Friday and a week later get a new one so there are jobs out there I just bet that you get more money on benefits then working And I’m not having a dig at people on benefits; I’d just like to know them figures as I bet they would surprise me
[quote][p][bold]Hough64[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]_A5HA11_[/bold] wrote: I wonder how many of these people on benefits actually want to work ? and I wonder how many people will earn less if they got a job than what they’d get on benefits?[/p][/quote]Have you ever had the experience of being made redundant and have to go on benefits? To say such a thing suggests that you are living with the idea it could never happen to you. Well it can so dont judge people that you know nothing about.[/p][/quote]I have when I was like 18-19 but never want to go back on it so I went to college got the grades then got a proper job that’s not dead end and has the opportunity to move up plus I got on with a global company. It gives that job security doesn’t it, see thinking through it I made the right moves at the right times and now I have the opportunity to move anywhere in the world which has the company in it. I did it by myself and I’m only 25 so I turned it around in 6 years not quite so long really and people that blame the current climate, mope around blaming something else are weak and I have no time for!!! I put the effort In I get the reward simple like my granddad told me when I was young “whatever you put into life you will always get it back” and “no matter what people say money will always talk louder”. How about this one Hough64 if your job was so profitable why make you redundant? Surly keeping the best staff making the most money for the comapny would be the better option don’t you think? . I’ve had mates leave a job on a Friday and a week later get a new one so there are jobs out there I just bet that you get more money on benefits then working And I’m not having a dig at people on benefits; I’d just like to know them figures as I bet they would surprise me _A5HA11_

5:54pm Wed 28 Nov 12

Mulla89 says...

some people, not all, want to start straight away on a good decent job. This rarely happens i left the military at 20 from 16 and couldn't get work, so i bit the bullet and got an apprenticeship at something like £3 an hour, and worked till i got a job on minimum wage, i worked hard for them till i got a break and found what i think is a good career on a good wage. if push came to shove i would take any job i can, some people don't see life as i do. people say there isn't a lot of work around, but what they are saying is there isn't a lot of work around they want to do.
some people, not all, want to start straight away on a good decent job. This rarely happens i left the military at 20 from 16 and couldn't get work, so i bit the bullet and got an apprenticeship at something like £3 an hour, and worked till i got a job on minimum wage, i worked hard for them till i got a break and found what i think is a good career on a good wage. if push came to shove i would take any job i can, some people don't see life as i do. people say there isn't a lot of work around, but what they are saying is there isn't a lot of work around they want to do. Mulla89

6:47pm Wed 28 Nov 12

Willow311 says...

_A5HA11_ wrote:
Hough64 wrote:
_A5HA11_ wrote: I wonder how many of these people on benefits actually want to work ? and I wonder how many people will earn less if they got a job than what they’d get on benefits?
Have you ever had the experience of being made redundant and have to go on benefits? To say such a thing suggests that you are living with the idea it could never happen to you. Well it can so dont judge people that you know nothing about.
I have when I was like 18-19 but never want to go back on it so I went to college got the grades then got a proper job that’s not dead end and has the opportunity to move up plus I got on with a global company. It gives that job security doesn’t it, see thinking through it I made the right moves at the right times and now I have the opportunity to move anywhere in the world which has the company in it. I did it by myself and I’m only 25 so I turned it around in 6 years not quite so long really and people that blame the current climate, mope around blaming something else are weak and I have no time for!!! I put the effort In I get the reward simple like my granddad told me when I was young “whatever you put into life you will always get it back” and “no matter what people say money will always talk louder”. How about this one Hough64 if your job was so profitable why make you redundant? Surly keeping the best staff making the most money for the comapny would be the better option don’t you think? . I’ve had mates leave a job on a Friday and a week later get a new one so there are jobs out there I just bet that you get more money on benefits then working And I’m not having a dig at people on benefits; I’d just like to know them figures as I bet they would surprise me
Perhaps if you took a look at government benefits site. Benefits are adesigned to maintain people at poverty line, nothing more. Single and Under 25 you would not get more than £75 per week. You would not get housing benefits and so all your income would go on rent. How are people expected to get an education / job if they can not afford to dress/travel for interview. And gone are the days of a free education.
Not many global company's around unless in banking or similar ilk.
People need to realise that there are not enough jobs for everyone and you speak about friends leaving post on Friday and starting another Monday. Can I ask would this have happened if a friend or colleague hadn't supported them with info etc? This tends not to happen if starting from scratch like a vast number of our community.
Rather than judge others it may be best to be thankful for what you have got compared to today's majority.
[quote][p][bold]_A5HA11_[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]Hough64[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]_A5HA11_[/bold] wrote: I wonder how many of these people on benefits actually want to work ? and I wonder how many people will earn less if they got a job than what they’d get on benefits?[/p][/quote]Have you ever had the experience of being made redundant and have to go on benefits? To say such a thing suggests that you are living with the idea it could never happen to you. Well it can so dont judge people that you know nothing about.[/p][/quote]I have when I was like 18-19 but never want to go back on it so I went to college got the grades then got a proper job that’s not dead end and has the opportunity to move up plus I got on with a global company. It gives that job security doesn’t it, see thinking through it I made the right moves at the right times and now I have the opportunity to move anywhere in the world which has the company in it. I did it by myself and I’m only 25 so I turned it around in 6 years not quite so long really and people that blame the current climate, mope around blaming something else are weak and I have no time for!!! I put the effort In I get the reward simple like my granddad told me when I was young “whatever you put into life you will always get it back” and “no matter what people say money will always talk louder”. How about this one Hough64 if your job was so profitable why make you redundant? Surly keeping the best staff making the most money for the comapny would be the better option don’t you think? . I’ve had mates leave a job on a Friday and a week later get a new one so there are jobs out there I just bet that you get more money on benefits then working And I’m not having a dig at people on benefits; I’d just like to know them figures as I bet they would surprise me[/p][/quote]Perhaps if you took a look at government benefits site. Benefits are adesigned to maintain people at poverty line, nothing more. Single and Under 25 you would not get more than £75 per week. You would not get housing benefits and so all your income would go on rent. How are people expected to get an education / job if they can not afford to dress/travel for interview. And gone are the days of a free education. Not many global company's around unless in banking or similar ilk. People need to realise that there are not enough jobs for everyone and you speak about friends leaving post on Friday and starting another Monday. Can I ask would this have happened if a friend or colleague hadn't supported them with info etc? This tends not to happen if starting from scratch like a vast number of our community. Rather than judge others it may be best to be thankful for what you have got compared to today's majority. Willow311

2:39pm Thu 29 Nov 12

_A5HA11_ says...

Willow311 wrote:
_A5HA11_ wrote:
Hough64 wrote:
_A5HA11_ wrote: I wonder how many of these people on benefits actually want to work ? and I wonder how many people will earn less if they got a job than what they’d get on benefits?
Have you ever had the experience of being made redundant and have to go on benefits? To say such a thing suggests that you are living with the idea it could never happen to you. Well it can so dont judge people that you know nothing about.
I have when I was like 18-19 but never want to go back on it so I went to college got the grades then got a proper job that’s not dead end and has the opportunity to move up plus I got on with a global company. It gives that job security doesn’t it, see thinking through it I made the right moves at the right times and now I have the opportunity to move anywhere in the world which has the company in it. I did it by myself and I’m only 25 so I turned it around in 6 years not quite so long really and people that blame the current climate, mope around blaming something else are weak and I have no time for!!! I put the effort In I get the reward simple like my granddad told me when I was young “whatever you put into life you will always get it back” and “no matter what people say money will always talk louder”. How about this one Hough64 if your job was so profitable why make you redundant? Surly keeping the best staff making the most money for the comapny would be the better option don’t you think? . I’ve had mates leave a job on a Friday and a week later get a new one so there are jobs out there I just bet that you get more money on benefits then working And I’m not having a dig at people on benefits; I’d just like to know them figures as I bet they would surprise me
Perhaps if you took a look at government benefits site. Benefits are adesigned to maintain people at poverty line, nothing more. Single and Under 25 you would not get more than £75 per week. You would not get housing benefits and so all your income would go on rent. How are people expected to get an education / job if they can not afford to dress/travel for interview. And gone are the days of a free education. Not many global company's around unless in banking or similar ilk. People need to realise that there are not enough jobs for everyone and you speak about friends leaving post on Friday and starting another Monday. Can I ask would this have happened if a friend or colleague hadn't supported them with info etc? This tends not to happen if starting from scratch like a vast number of our community. Rather than judge others it may be best to be thankful for what you have got compared to today's majority.
I am thankful for the job which I have don’t get me wrong and I do feel for people who are out of work it’s horrible I know I’ve been there, but it’s not like I’ve not worked for it, 11 years of school 3 years at full time college in which I was working on nothing else but bettering myself educationally while I was at college working the weekends in a part time job sometimes even nights and 3 years on an apprentices wage, still got another year to go yet, I couldn’t even get that EMA when I was at college the only thing I could get was an adult learning grant but that was when I turned 19. I hated the fact that I had no money but it’s all paid off now. I hate it when people slate me cause they think it’s been easy for me well there wrong, I realised what needed to be done and I myself turned it around and I feel great about it, I’ve achieved more than what I wanted and it only gets better. so stop hating me and get your own life sorted because no one else is going to do it for you, it not like a job just going to bust through your front door. you have to go and look, as im feeling in a goodish mood today here’s of A5HA11 top tips for you guys/girls,

the internet is a very powerful tool use it, type in Google “jobs in Bolton” and there are loads, go on job websites, newspapers, agency work, there are ways in getting more money through agency. research it there is a way of getting an extra 10% , research about the company in which you have an interview for i.e. going on there web site, look on the internet about interview techniques send cover notes with your CV, if there are many people applying for one job think about how you can make yourself stand out from a crowd look presentable when turning up for an interview, DON’T BE LATE FOR IT, volunteer for things get out there and make a name for yourself, in that interview make it so that the company wants you and not the other way around, these all work cause it did for me,
[quote][p][bold]Willow311[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]_A5HA11_[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]Hough64[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]_A5HA11_[/bold] wrote: I wonder how many of these people on benefits actually want to work ? and I wonder how many people will earn less if they got a job than what they’d get on benefits?[/p][/quote]Have you ever had the experience of being made redundant and have to go on benefits? To say such a thing suggests that you are living with the idea it could never happen to you. Well it can so dont judge people that you know nothing about.[/p][/quote]I have when I was like 18-19 but never want to go back on it so I went to college got the grades then got a proper job that’s not dead end and has the opportunity to move up plus I got on with a global company. It gives that job security doesn’t it, see thinking through it I made the right moves at the right times and now I have the opportunity to move anywhere in the world which has the company in it. I did it by myself and I’m only 25 so I turned it around in 6 years not quite so long really and people that blame the current climate, mope around blaming something else are weak and I have no time for!!! I put the effort In I get the reward simple like my granddad told me when I was young “whatever you put into life you will always get it back” and “no matter what people say money will always talk louder”. How about this one Hough64 if your job was so profitable why make you redundant? Surly keeping the best staff making the most money for the comapny would be the better option don’t you think? . I’ve had mates leave a job on a Friday and a week later get a new one so there are jobs out there I just bet that you get more money on benefits then working And I’m not having a dig at people on benefits; I’d just like to know them figures as I bet they would surprise me[/p][/quote]Perhaps if you took a look at government benefits site. Benefits are adesigned to maintain people at poverty line, nothing more. Single and Under 25 you would not get more than £75 per week. You would not get housing benefits and so all your income would go on rent. How are people expected to get an education / job if they can not afford to dress/travel for interview. And gone are the days of a free education. Not many global company's around unless in banking or similar ilk. People need to realise that there are not enough jobs for everyone and you speak about friends leaving post on Friday and starting another Monday. Can I ask would this have happened if a friend or colleague hadn't supported them with info etc? This tends not to happen if starting from scratch like a vast number of our community. Rather than judge others it may be best to be thankful for what you have got compared to today's majority.[/p][/quote]I am thankful for the job which I have don’t get me wrong and I do feel for people who are out of work it’s horrible I know I’ve been there, but it’s not like I’ve not worked for it, 11 years of school 3 years at full time college in which I was working on nothing else but bettering myself educationally while I was at college working the weekends in a part time job sometimes even nights and 3 years on an apprentices wage, still got another year to go yet, I couldn’t even get that EMA when I was at college the only thing I could get was an adult learning grant but that was when I turned 19. I hated the fact that I had no money but it’s all paid off now. I hate it when people slate me cause they think it’s been easy for me well there wrong, I realised what needed to be done and I myself turned it around and I feel great about it, I’ve achieved more than what I wanted and it only gets better. so stop hating me and get your own life sorted because no one else is going to do it for you, it not like a job just going to bust through your front door. you have to go and look, as im feeling in a goodish mood today here’s of A5HA11 top tips for you guys/girls, the internet is a very powerful tool use it, type in Google “jobs in Bolton” and there are loads, go on job websites, newspapers, agency work, there are ways in getting more money through agency. research it there is a way of getting an extra 10% , research about the company in which you have an interview for i.e. going on there web site, look on the internet about interview techniques send cover notes with your CV, if there are many people applying for one job think about how you can make yourself stand out from a crowd look presentable when turning up for an interview, DON’T BE LATE FOR IT, volunteer for things get out there and make a name for yourself, in that interview make it so that the company wants you and not the other way around, these all work cause it did for me, _A5HA11_

3:53pm Thu 29 Nov 12

mdavies11 says...

According to a benefits website, with my 2 kids if I didn't work I'd get £347 per week, which is equivalent to £23000 salary. Seems I'm a mug for working.
According to a benefits website, with my 2 kids if I didn't work I'd get £347 per week, which is equivalent to £23000 salary. Seems I'm a mug for working. mdavies11

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