Working well Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA)

Wages JSNA

Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) identifies key issues affecting the health and wellbeing of our residents, both now and in the future.

The lower skill levels in the workforce are reflected in the average wages in the borough. In Rochdale, the annual pay is £27,869 which is lower than the average of our CIPFA neighbours of £29,676 and lower than the national average of £33,208 (Office for National Statistics – Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, 2022).

How does money and wealth affect health?

Money affects people's wellbeing. There's a graded association between money and health – increased income equates to better health, but the reasons for this are complex and much debated (Joseph Rowntree Foundation, 2014). Money helps in a material sense, it buys goods and services that improve health. Therefore the more money families have, the better the goods they can buy.

Conversely, struggling to live on a low income is stressful. This is especially true when people compare themselves to others. The feeling of being at the bottom of the social ladder can be distressing which can lead to biochemical changes in the body, eventually causing ill health.

The impacts of poor health on income

Poor health in itself can also lead to low income. Health can directly affect income by preventing people from taking paid employment. Childhood health may also impact on educational outcomes, limiting job opportunities and potential earnings.

Increasing skill levels can be part of a working age wellbeing approach as learning new things contributes to wellbeing. People on low incomes are more likely to adopt unhealthy behaviours such as smoking and drinking, while those on higher incomes are more able to afford healthier lifestyles. This section considers wage levels across the borough including inequalities and the local labour market.

Statistics on wages and income

  • Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) - Wider determinants of health profile - this profile features information on the wider or social determinants of health, including data on income such as the number of people in income deprived households, fuel poverty, average weekly earnings and the gender pay gap.
  • Nomis - Labour market statistics - the Office for National Statistics publishes labour market statistics through the Nomis website and the annual survey of hours and earnings provides information about the levels and make-up of earnings and hours worked for employees in Rochdale.
  • Nomis - Local authority profile - these profiles are available for Rochdale and include some of the data from the key datasets on population, employment, unemployment, qualifications, earnings, benefit claimants and businesses.

Supporting information on wages and income