Tens of thousands of Bolton people  in Bolton were out of work and not looking for a job.

Estimates from the Office for National Statistics show 49,277 people aged 16 to 64 in Bolton were classed as 'economically inactive' as of March – defined as out of work and not recently searching for a job.

This was the equivalent of 27.9 per cent of people in that age bracket in the area – down from 28.9 per cent a year before.

Town Hall chiefs say they are suppporting people in Bolton to find employment and improve their quality of life.

The figures further show 10,014 were claiming unemployment-related benefits in Bolton – which includes Universal Credit and Jobseeker's Allowance.

This gives the area a claimant rate of 5.5 per cent.

Nationally, the figures have shown unemployment has increased, while rising wages have been eaten up by inflation.

Latest estimates suggest around 2.5 million people were economically inactive due to long-term sickness as of June – up 400,000 from before the coronavirus pandemic.

The ONS said regular pay growth, which excludes bonuses, reached 7.8 per cent in June.

Bolton Council’s Executive Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Deputy leader Cllr Akhtar Zaman, said: “While our job market is robust and has many advantages for most residents, it pains me to see families in challenging situations missing out.

“Although these figures show a decrease from the year before, we still want to level the playing field so more households can benefit, not only in their finances but also in their overall quality of life within Bolton.

“To provide this support the Council works extensively with our Team Bolton partners, and local employers, to develop and deliver a package of programmes and events to support our residents to find sustainable employment. 

“These focus on breaking down the barriers that people can experience when job seeking, from interview skills to tackling anxiety; digital help to vocational qualifications; careers advice to a free interview outfit – there really is something for everyone.

“I would urge anyone looking for work to contact our Digital, Employment and Skills (DES) service, to help navigate the support available in Bolton and Greater Manchester.”

The ONS' director of economic statistics, Darren Morgan, said there were some reasons to be positive.

He said: “Earnings continue to grow in cash terms, with basic pay growing at its fastest since current records began.”

“Coupled with lower inflation, this means the position on people’s real pay is recovering and now looks a bit better than a few months back,” he added.

But shadow work and pensions secretary Jonathan Ashworth said: “These figures confirm once again that the Tories are failing working people and businesses across Britain.

"Families are struggling to get by, there are record numbers of people out of work due to long-term sickness, and the employment rate for over-50s is still below pre-pandemic levels – yet Tory ministers have no solutions to get people back to work."

The Liberal Democrats also said this data will be "cold comfort" to hard-up families.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said: “Thanks to the action we’ve taken in the jobs market, it’s great to see a record number of employees."

“Our ambitious reforms will make work pay and help even more people into work – including by expanding free childcare next year – helping to deliver on our priority to grow the economy,” he added.

If you have a story or something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at chloe.wilson@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on Twitter @chloewjourno.