NEARLY 10 per cent of people of working age in Bolton are claiming incapacity benefit, new Government figures have revealed.

A total of £80 million a year is being paid out to more than 15,000 claimants in the town.

A league table of towns and cities in the UK puts the borough in 30th position for the number of people on long-term incapacity benefit.

According to the figures, released by the Department of work and Pensions, the 15,000 people on either incapacity benefit or severe disability allowance in Bolton amounts to 0.58 per cent of the total claimants across Britain.

Politicians from all three mainstream parties defended the town's reputation.

Liberal Democrat deputy leader of Bolton Council, Cllr Roger Hayes, said: "Bolton has a history of industrial disease because of the nature of the traditional industries here.

"I would have expected us to figure above places such as Brighton and Milton Keynes."

Glasgow topped the league for the number of people claiming incapacity and severe disability benefit, with 20.29 per cent of the population on long-term sick, costing the tax payer £279 million.

It was followed by Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield and Bradford.

Of the 2.7 million currently claiming incapacity benefit in the UK, it is believed 1.8 million are able to work.

Dr Brian Iddon, Labour MP for Bolton South-east, said: "It is the Government's intention to put money in to help people get back to work.

"There are a considerable number of people who want to work and who need to be reskilled.

"Some people are claiming benefits they are not entitled to but I think this is a minor problem."

But leading Conservative Cllr Andy Morgan said: "We do not think those on long-term sickness are reviewed often enough or that enough is being done to get those who are fit enough back to work."