The Datum Report

Parliamentary constituency

Bolton South and Walkden

What is distinctive here

These moved unusually against comparable areas, and did not simply move with them. A change shared with everywhere else is a fact about the country, not this place.

MeasurePeriodValueChangeAgainst peers
% of economically inactive long-term sick Apr 2025-Mar 2026 53.1% +13 in the top 6% of 577
% of economically inactive looking after family/home Apr 2025-Mar 2026 13.3% -5.9 in the bottom 8% of 512

By subject

Every figure published for Bolton South and Walkden. Open a subject to see them, each with its history and its source. Where a producer splits the area into many categories, those sit behind a further disclosure.

Labour market 11
4.4%
3.05.58.12021-09-30: 4.72021-12-31: 3.72022-03-31: 3.92022-06-30: 5.32022-09-30: 5.12022-12-31: 3.52023-03-31: 5.32023-06-30: 4.72023-09-30: 6.62023-12-31: 72024-03-31: 5.92024-06-30: 5.92024-09-30: 52024-12-31: 7.62025-03-31: 7.12025-06-30: 6.72025-09-30: 62025-12-31: 52026-03-31: 4.4 2021-09 2026-03
19 monthly readings · 3.5 to 7.6 · axis starts at 3.0

ONS, Annual Population Survey - headline labour market rates, published 21 July 2026

Employment rate - aged 16-64
Apr 2025-Mar 2026
63.4%
48.358.067.62021-09-30: 61.62021-12-31: 65.72022-03-31: 63.82022-06-30: 62.62022-09-30: 60.42022-12-31: 61.32023-03-31: 58.72023-06-30: 60.62023-09-30: 56.32023-12-31: 55.62024-03-31: 53.22024-06-30: 50.22024-09-30: 552024-12-31: 572025-03-31: 552025-06-30: 58.62025-09-30: 61.42025-12-31: 61.12026-03-31: 63.4 2021-09 2026-03
19 monthly readings · 50.2 to 65.7 · axis starts at 48.3

ONS, Annual Population Survey - headline labour market rates, published 21 July 2026
±7.5, basis not documented by the producer

Unemployment rate - aged 16-64
Apr 2025-Mar 2026
5.3%
0.314.127.92021-09-30: 52021-12-31: 32022-03-31: 8.22022-06-30: 10.62022-09-30: 12.22022-12-31: 142023-03-31: 11.52023-06-30: 13.42023-09-30: 19.52023-12-31: 19.92024-03-31: 25.22024-06-30: 22.62024-09-30: 10.32024-12-31: 7.42025-03-31: 4.52025-06-30: 5.72025-09-30: 5.52025-12-31: 62026-03-31: 5.3 2021-09 2026-03
19 monthly readings · 3 to 25.2 · axis starts at 0.3

ONS, Annual Population Survey - headline labour market rates, published 21 July 2026

33.1%
27.135.543.92021-09-30: 35.12021-12-31: 32.32022-03-31: 30.62022-06-30: 302022-09-30: 31.22022-12-31: 28.72023-03-31: 33.72023-06-30: 302023-09-30: 30.12023-12-31: 30.62024-03-31: 292024-06-30: 35.12024-09-30: 38.62024-12-31: 38.42025-03-31: 42.32025-06-30: 37.92025-09-30: 352025-12-31: 352026-03-31: 33.1 2021-09 2026-03
19 monthly readings · 28.7 to 42.3 · axis starts at 27.1

ONS, Annual Population Survey - variables (percentages), published 21 July 2026
±7.3, basis not documented by the producer

Claimant count
August 2026
5,305
4,7635,6256,4872021-09-30: 6,3102021-10-31: 6,1852021-11-30: 5,9102021-12-31: 5,6702022-01-31: 5,5602022-02-28: 5,6052022-03-31: 5,5502022-04-30: 5,3752022-05-31: 5,3502022-06-30: 5,2602022-07-31: 5,1352022-08-31: 5,1052022-09-30: 5,1102022-10-31: 5,0302022-11-30: 5,1202022-12-31: 5,0952023-01-31: 5,0702023-02-28: 5,1402023-03-31: 5,2452023-04-30: 5,3902023-05-31: 5,2102023-06-30: 5,2502023-07-31: 5,2302023-08-31: 5,1302023-09-30: 5,1052023-10-31: 4,9902023-11-30: 5,0452023-12-31: 5,0752024-01-31: 5,1602024-02-29: 5,3852024-03-31: 5,5402024-04-30: 5,5502024-05-31: 5,7152024-06-30: 5,8502024-07-31: 6,3202024-08-31: 6,2102024-09-30: 6,1502024-10-31: 6,0802024-11-30: 5,9102024-12-31: 5,6852025-01-31: 5,6652025-02-28: 5,6402025-03-31: 5,5402025-04-30: 5,4002025-05-31: 5,3302025-06-30: 5,3152025-07-31: 5,2202025-08-31: 5,1602025-09-30: 5,1352025-10-31: 5,1152025-11-30: 5,0502025-12-31: 4,9602026-01-31: 4,9302026-02-28: 5,1102026-03-31: 5,1302026-04-30: 5,1302026-05-31: 5,1802026-06-30: 5,2402026-07-31: 5,1252026-08-31: 5,305 2021-09 2026-08
60 monthly readings · 4,930 to 6,320 · axis starts at 4,763

ONS / DWP, Claimant count by sex and age, published 15 September 2026

6.5%
5.77.18.52021-09-30: 8.22021-10-31: 82021-11-30: 7.62021-12-31: 7.32022-01-31: 7.12022-02-28: 7.12022-03-31: 7.12022-04-30: 6.82022-05-31: 6.82022-06-30: 6.72022-07-31: 6.52022-08-31: 6.52022-09-30: 6.52022-10-31: 6.42022-11-30: 6.52022-12-31: 6.52023-01-31: 6.32023-02-28: 6.42023-03-31: 6.52023-04-30: 6.72023-05-31: 6.52023-06-30: 6.52023-07-31: 6.52023-08-31: 6.42023-09-30: 6.32023-10-31: 6.22023-11-30: 6.32023-12-31: 6.32024-01-31: 6.32024-02-29: 6.62024-03-31: 6.82024-04-30: 6.82024-05-31: 72024-06-30: 7.12024-07-31: 7.72024-08-31: 7.62024-09-30: 7.52024-10-31: 7.42024-11-30: 7.22024-12-31: 6.92025-01-31: 6.92025-02-28: 6.92025-03-31: 6.82025-04-30: 6.62025-05-31: 6.52025-06-30: 6.52025-07-31: 6.42025-08-31: 6.32025-09-30: 6.32025-10-31: 6.22025-11-30: 6.22025-12-31: 6.12026-01-31: 62026-02-28: 6.22026-03-31: 6.32026-04-30: 6.32026-05-31: 6.32026-06-30: 6.42026-07-31: 6.32026-08-31: 6.5 2021-09 2026-08
60 monthly readings · 6 to 8.2 · axis starts at 5.7

ONS / DWP, Claimant count by sex and age, published 15 September 2026

% of economically inactive 5
—

ONS, Annual Population Survey - variables (percentages), published 21 July 2026
Not published: Estimate and confidence interval not available since the group sample size is zero or disclosive (0-2)
19 earlier periods withheld by the producer and absent from the chart.

53.1%
15.936.557.12021-09-30: 25.42021-12-31: 39.12022-03-31: 44.12022-06-30: 44.62022-09-30: 43.52022-12-31: 31.22023-03-31: 28.12023-06-30: 28.82023-09-30: 19.92023-12-31: 222024-03-31: 25.82024-06-30: 31.92024-09-30: 40.32024-12-31: 39.82025-03-31: 34.12025-06-30: 39.12025-09-30: 362025-12-31: 39.82026-03-31: 53.1 2021-09 2026-03
19 monthly readings · 19.9 to 53.1 · axis starts at 15.9

ONS, Annual Population Survey - variables (percentages), published 21 July 2026
±13.6, basis not documented by the producer

13.3%
11.221.932.52021-09-30: 20.72021-12-31: 21.22022-03-31: 16.22022-06-30: 16.72022-09-30: 16.22022-12-31: 14.62023-03-31: 15.42023-06-30: 15.72023-09-30: 18.12023-12-31: 262024-03-31: 27.82024-06-30: 30.42024-09-30: 20.82024-12-31: 142025-03-31: 17.72025-06-30: 14.82025-09-30: 18.12025-12-31: 19.22026-03-31: 13.3 2021-09 2026-03
19 monthly readings · 13.3 to 30.4 · axis starts at 11.2

ONS, Annual Population Survey - variables (percentages), published 21 July 2026

9.6%
2.36.310.42021-09-30: 7.72021-12-31: 6.72022-12-31: 3.82023-03-31: 5.12023-06-30: 9.52023-09-30: 7.42023-12-31: 5.32024-03-31: 5.82025-03-31: 3.12025-06-30: 5.72025-09-30: 7.82025-12-31: 8.32026-03-31: 9.6 2021-09 2026-03
13 monthly readings · 3.1 to 9.6 · axis starts at 2.3

ONS, Annual Population Survey - variables (percentages), published 21 July 2026
6 earlier periods withheld by the producer and absent from the chart.

19.7%
15.227.539.92021-09-30: 25.82021-12-31: 22.42022-03-31: 332022-06-30: 21.32022-09-30: 242022-12-31: 252023-03-31: 27.92023-06-30: 24.92023-09-30: 34.82023-12-31: 37.52024-03-31: 32.42024-06-30: 26.32024-09-30: 17.62024-12-31: 26.32025-03-31: 28.42025-06-30: 272025-09-30: 28.32025-12-31: 23.22026-03-31: 19.7 2021-09 2026-03
19 monthly readings · 17.6 to 37.5 · axis starts at 15.2

ONS, Annual Population Survey - variables (percentages), published 21 July 2026

Pay 2
9.016.423.710th10th · 2023-04-30: £10.4610th · 2024-04-30: £11.5010th · 2025-04-30: £12.3425th25th · 2023-04-30: £12.0325th · 2024-04-30: £12.5725th · 2025-04-30: £13.75MedianMedian · 2023-04-30: £14.58Median · 2024-04-30: £15.30Median · 2025-04-30: £16.4475th75th · 2023-04-30: £19.4575th · 2024-04-30: £21.4375th · 2025-04-30: £22.30 2023-04 2025-04
3 periods · 10th, 25th, Median, 75th · axis starts at 9.0
10th25thMedian75th90th
£12.34£13.75£16.44£22.30—

ONS, Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings - resident analysis, published 3 November 2025
coefficient of variation 1.0%

8.817.726.610th10th · 2023-04-30: £10.4810th · 2024-04-30: £11.5010th · 2025-04-30: £12.5925th25th · 2023-04-30: £12.4325th · 2024-04-30: £12.8925th · 2025-04-30: £13.69MedianMedian · 2023-04-30: £15.53Median · 2024-04-30: £15.67Median · 2025-04-30: £16.2575th75th · 2023-04-30: £22.5775th · 2024-04-30: £22.7375th · 2025-04-30: £24.86 2023-04 2025-04
3 periods · 10th, 25th, Median, 75th · axis starts at 8.8
10th25thMedian75th90th
£12.59£13.69£16.25£24.86—

ONS, Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings - workplace analysis, published 3 November 2025
coefficient of variation 1.4%

Business 11
Businesses
2025
3,895

ONS, UK Business Counts - enterprises, published 14 October 2025

2,960

ONS, UK Business Counts - enterprises by size band, published 14 October 2025

255

ONS, UK Business Counts - enterprises by size band, published 14 October 2025

20

ONS, UK Business Counts - enterprises by size band, published 14 October 2025

5

ONS, UK Business Counts - enterprises by size band, published 14 October 2025

115

ONS, UK Business Counts - enterprises by size band, published 14 October 2025

10

ONS, UK Business Counts - enterprises by size band, published 14 October 2025

490

ONS, UK Business Counts - enterprises by size band, published 14 October 2025

35

ONS, UK Business Counts - enterprises by size band, published 14 October 2025

10

ONS, UK Business Counts - enterprises by size band, published 14 October 2025

4,595

ONS, UK Business Counts - local units, published 14 October 2025

Broken down further 88

One breakdown with many categories. These are never ranked against other areas: a comparison that pools thousands of rows into one peer set produces rankings that mean nothing.

MeasureLatestPeriod
01 : Crop and animal production, hunting and related service activities 0 2024
02 : Forestry and logging 0 2024
03 : Fishing and aquaculture 0 2024
05 : Mining of coal and lignite 0 2024
06 : Extraction of crude petroleum and natural gas 0 2024
07 : Mining of metal ores 0 2024
08 : Other mining and quarrying 0 2024
09 : Mining support service activities 0 2024
10 : Manufacture of food products 1,250 2024
11 : Manufacture of beverages 0 2024
12 : Manufacture of tobacco products 0 2024
13 : Manufacture of textiles 500 2024
14 : Manufacture of wearing apparel 35 2024
15 : Manufacture of leather and related products 0 2024
16 : Manufacture of wood and of products of wood and cork, except furniture;manufacture of articles of straw and plaiting materials 150 2024
17 : Manufacture of paper and paper products 50 2024
18 : Printing and reproduction of recorded media 50 2024
19 : Manufacture of coke and refined petroleum products 0 2024
20 : Manufacture of chemicals and chemical products 175 2024
21 : Manufacture of basic pharmaceutical products and pharmaceutical preparations 10 2024
22 : Manufacture of rubber and plastic products 400 2024
23 : Manufacture of other non-metallic mineral products 50 2024
24 : Manufacture of basic metals 200 2024
25 : Manufacture of fabricated metal products, except machinery and equipment 500 2024
26 : Manufacture of computer, electronic and optical products 100 2024
27 : Manufacture of electrical equipment 250 2024
28 : Manufacture of machinery and equipment n.e.c. 500 2024
29 : Manufacture of motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers 40 2024
30 : Manufacture of other transport equipment 200 2024
31 : Manufacture of furniture 400 2024
32 : Other manufacturing 350 2024
33 : Repair and installation of machinery and equipment 150 2024
35 : Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply 150 2024
36 : Water collection, treatment and supply 0 2024
37 : Sewerage 50 2024
38 : Waste collection, treatment and disposal activities; materials recovery 300 2024
39 : Remediation activities and other waste management services. This division includes the provision of remediation services, i.e. the cleanup of contaminated buildings and sites, soil, surface or ground water. 0 2024
41 : Construction of buildings 350 2024
42 : Civil engineering 600 2024
43 : Specialised construction activities 1,000 2024
45 : Wholesale and retail trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles 1,500 2024
46 : Wholesale trade, except of motor vehicles and motorcycles 2,250 2024
47 : Retail trade, except of motor vehicles and motorcycles 5,000 2024
49 : Land transport and transport via pipelines 600 2024
50 : Water transport 0 2024
51 : Air transport 0 2024
52 : Warehousing and support activities for transportation 350 2024
53 : Postal and courier activities 400 2024
55 : Accommodation 30 2024
56 : Food and beverage service activities 2,250 2024
58 : Publishing activities 15 2024
59 : Motion picture, video and television programme production, sound recording and music publishing activities 15 2024
60 : Programming and broadcasting activities 0 2024
61 : Telecommunications 125 2024
62 : Computer programming, consultancy and related activities 900 2024
63 : Information service activities 25 2024
64 : Financial service activities, except insurance and pension funding 450 2024
65 : Insurance, reinsurance and pension funding, except compulsory social security 0 2024
66 : Activities auxiliary to financial services and insurance activities 100 2024
68 : Real estate activities 400 2024
69 : Legal and accounting activities 2,000 2024
70 : Activities of head offices; management consultancy activities 1,000 2024
71 : Architectural and engineering activities; technical testing and analysis 400 2024
72 : Scientific research and development 10 2024
73 : Advertising and market research 50 2024
74 : Other professional, scientific and technical activities 500 2024
75 : Veterinary activities 150 2024
77 : Rental and leasing activities 700 2024
78 : Employment activities 2,000 2024
79 : Travel agency, tour operator and other reservation service and related activities 150 2024
80 : Security and investigation activities 300 2024
81 : Services to buildings and landscape activities 1,250 2024
82 : Office administrative, office support and other business support activities 700 2024
84 : Public administration and defence; compulsory social security 1,500 2024
85 : Education 6,000 2024
86 : Human health activities 8,000 2024
87 : Residential care activities 900 2024
88 : Social work activities without accommodation 900 2024
90 : Creative, arts and entertainment activities 10 2024
91 : Libraries, archives, museums and other cultural activities 20 2024
92 : Gambling and betting activities 250 2024
93 : Sports activities and amusement and recreation activities 700 2024
94 : Activities of membership organisations 100 2024
95 : Repair of computers and personal and household goods 30 2024
96 : Other personal service activities 400 2024
97 : Activities of households as employers of domestic personnel 0 2024
98 : Undifferentiated goods- and services-producing activities of private households for own use 0 2024
99 : Activities of extraterritorial organisations and bodies 0 2024
Skills 6
% with NVQ1+ - aged 16-64
Jan 2021-Dec 2021
82.3%

ONS, Annual Population Survey - qualifications (NVQ levels), published 12 April 2022
±9.3, basis not documented by the producer

% with NVQ2+ - aged 16-64
Jan 2021-Dec 2021
72.0%

ONS, Annual Population Survey - qualifications (NVQ levels), published 12 April 2022
±10.9, basis not documented by the producer

% with NVQ3+ - aged 16-64
Jan 2021-Dec 2021
46.5%

ONS, Annual Population Survey - qualifications (NVQ levels), published 12 April 2022
±12.1, basis not documented by the producer

% with NVQ4+ - aged 16-64
Jan 2021-Dec 2021
27.8%

ONS, Annual Population Survey - qualifications (NVQ levels), published 12 April 2022
±10.9, basis not documented by the producer

10.8%

ONS, Annual Population Survey - qualifications (NVQ levels), published 12 April 2022
±7.5, basis not documented by the producer

6.9%

ONS, Annual Population Survey - qualifications (NVQ levels), published 12 April 2022
±6.2, basis not documented by the producer