MORE than one in ten of the working age population in the North-East claims incapacity benefit, according to a report.

The figures, released by Chief Medical Officer Sir Liam Donaldson yesterday, mean that the region has the highest proportion of claimants in England.

A total of 160,000 people of working age are claiming incapacity benefit in the region.

The worst area is Easington, where nearly one in five (19 per cent) of working age people claim incapacity benefit.

Elsewhere in the region, levels above ten per cent are found in five other areas, Sedgefield, Hartlepool, Wear Valley, Gateshead and Sunderland.

Acting regional director of public health in the North-East, Dr David Walker, said there was a close link between being out of work and poor health.

He said: "Unemployment and economic inactivity are associated with higher rates of ill health, mental illness and premature death. And poor health itself can lead to difficulties in both securing and retaining employment.

"These two factors become inevitably entwined leading to a spiral of decline in disadvantaged populations.

"In turn, high levels of unemployment serve to put a brake on the economic regeneration that would help solve the problem in the longer term.

"We are working closely with the local community to help people improve their health and return to work."

This year, Prof Donaldson's report on the State of Public Health calls for tighter controls on tobacco smuggling, as well as drawing attention to the potential to improve the nation's health by influencing food purchasing in the public sector.

He also wants to see more consistent standards of care in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.