CALLS to cure Bolton's massive sickness record have been made by the town's independent Tory MP Peter Thurnham.

He has also blasted Bolton Council for its recent closure of two old people's homes - while wasting millions on staff sick pay.

Mr Thurnham, MP for Bolton North East, is now calling on the Government to investigate the high rates of sickness in Bolton and the North-west.

His comments come after recent reports in the BEN revealed that some town hall workers averaged up to 20 days sick leave a year.

This figure, compared with a national average of just eight days per worker, has left Bolton Council with one of the worst sick pay records in the country.

Mr Thurnham said: "I am extremely concerned about the prevailing high rates of sickness in the North-west.

"Recent reports about the huge financial cost incurred by Bolton Council due to the above average sickness rates amongst council employees, only serve to highlight this problem.

"When excess staffing costs have forced the closure of two old people's homes it is absurd and indefensible that this situation is allowed to continue."

Mr Thurnham said that recent CBI figures revealed sick leave cost British businesses £10 billion each year.

He said the CBI figures are based on an average of eight days sick per worker - in contrast to Bolton's 20 days.

Mr Thurnham added: "I have therefore asked the Secretary of State for Health, Stephen Dorrell, to determine what action should be taken to try and reduce that rate of absence due to sickness, thus saving valuable resources and increasing efficiency - in both the private and public sectors."

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