THERE are almost 12,000 Boltonians currently out of work due to illness, it has been revealed.

The borough’s annual public health report states that 28 per cent of the 42,300 jobless residents are either unemployed or inactive because of sickness.

In Bolton, the employment rate is around 71.1 per cent — which behind the national average of 74.3 per cent.

Leader of Bolton Council, Cllr Linda Thomas, said: “This is a very thorough and far-reaching report which addresses the need for everyone to have access to a job that contributes to their health and wellbeing in a positive way.

“Being out of work can be detrimental to a person’s health and we will continue to work with our partners to tackle the barriers to employment.

“However, having a job with low pay and poor conditions can also affect our health and lead to long periods of absence, so it is imperative that we all strive to provide good quality employment for all.”

According to the public health report, one in seven workers in Bolton have a common mental disorder, while 28.5 per cent of those in work have long-term health conditions.

Bolton’s population is expected to grow to more than 306,000 by 2039, but the town’s ageing population means that the number of working age people is expected to remain the same.

Bolton Council’s director of public health, David Herne, added: “We can never underestimate the importance of good health, especially as we are an ageing population that will be in work for longer.

“The relationship between health and employment is significant to our future as a community. In Bolton, our aim is to create an active, prosperous and connected community and integral to achieving that is the opportunity for everyone to access employment that will give them a good standard of living and is beneficial to their health.”

The report adds that the cost of joblessness and low-pay across Greater Manchester is more than £2 billion per year.

Its findings were due to be considered at a Health and Wellbeing Board meeting yesterday.