North-South life expectancy gap grows despite record longevity

• New figures show England 's North - South life expectancy divide has widened over the past decade, with a three-year difference between London and the North East.
• Life expectancy in Northern regions has seen minimal improvement, contrasting with increases in London and Southern areas, despite national highs recorded in 2025.
• Healthy life expectancy is declining across England, falling by approximately 2.5 years in a decade, with a stark two-decade gap between the most and least deprived areas.
• The UK's life expectancy is now among the lowest of comparable high-income countries, excluding Germany and the US, underscoring a significant national health inequity.
• Prime Minister Andy Burnham opened 'No 10 North' in Manchester, aiming to decentralise power and address regional disparities, with the Department of Health and Social Care pledging further action.

IN FULL

UK’s North–South life expectancy divide widens as study finds shocking differences