Map reveals Britain’s sickest towns where millions are too unwell to work – is yours on the list?

The brutal reality of Britain’s health issue has been brought to light by a new analysis that identifies the towns and localities with the highest percentages of working-age individuals unable to work because of illness.

These regions—dubbed “sickness benefit hotspots”—illustrate the difficulties that many people encounter due to poverty, poor health, and shortened life standards.

The top 20 regions with the greatest rates of out-of-work sickness benefit claims in the first quarter of 2024 are shown by the data.

Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and the more recent Universal Credit counterparts are examples of these sickness-related payments.

With a startling 33% of working-age persons claiming sick benefits, East Marsh and Port Grimsby top the list.

53% of the working-age population in this area is dependent on some kind of out-of-work benefits, which is further exacerbated by further claims for job-seekers’ allowance and other out-of-work benefits.

At only 70, life expectancy is likewise low here.

Glasgow’s Central Easterhouse (32%) Birkenhead Central (32%) and Drumchapel North (31%) are some noteworthy locations.

These areas exhibit a similar pattern of high sickness benefits, frequently coupled with additional socioeconomic difficulties and a poor life expectancy.

Former industrial towns and metropolitan centers, where high unemployment and health issues are closely related, are among the worst impacted locations.

These communities frequently have a lack of employment prospects, subpar housing, and restricted access to healthcare.

The average life expectancy in some places, such as East Marsh and Port Grimsby, is just 70 years old, which is significantly lower than the national average. This indicates a concerning health disparity.

According to the World Bank, the average age in the United Kingdom is 82 years old.

The effects of industrial decline are still being felt at Greenrock, a historic center for shipbuilding.

Chronic illnesses like respiratory disorders associated with previous industrial activity frequently coexist with the high rates of illness in this area.

The hardships of many little Scottish towns are reflected in Ardrossan Central.

Many residents suffer from chronic illnesses and become dependent on state benefits due to limited access to good jobs and healthcare; thirty percent of them rely on sickness claims.

Ranking seventh on this list, Blackpool is a well-known seaside resort town with 51% out-of-work benefits, demonstrating that the community faces serious socioeconomic issues beyond health-related ones.

Eighth on the list, South Promenade and Seasiders Way continues to have high incidence of illness.

Many locals lack stable job or income due to the instability caused by seasonal employment linked to tourism.

Another neighborhood in Fife that is struggling financially is Methil West.

This town, which was formerly dependent on coal mining, has had difficulty adjusting to the contemporary economy.

Its low than average life expectancy and frequent illness claims are a reflection of the legacy industrial collapse and lack of work possibilities.

With 29% of illness claims and 41% of total out-of-work benefits, Alloa South and East, Clackmannanshire, stands out somewhat from the other places on the list due to its comparatively greater life expectancy.

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