The life expectancy gap between the richest and poorest in England has grown to almost 10 years, new figures reveal today.
Data from the Office for National Statistics shows the wealthiest men born in England between 2014 and 2016 could expect to live 9.3 years longer than the poorest.
The life expectancy gap is lower for women at 7.3 years, the figures show.
Welsh people have slightly lower gaps in life expectancy at 8.9 years and 7.3 years for men and women.
The life expectancy gap between the richest and poorest in England has grown to almost 10 years, new figures reveal today (pictured)
Shadow public health minister Sharon Hodgson said: ‘The growing gulf of health inequalities between rich and poor exposes the terrible effects of the policies pursued by this Government.
‘It’s just astonishing that this decade has seen a slowdown in improvements in life expectancy – an appalling consequence of this Government’s failure to improve the chances of the worst-off – as years of underfunding in health and social care take their toll.
‘The next Labour Government will ensure our health and care system is properly funded so all children are given the best possible start in life, and older people are treated with the respect and dignity they deserve.’
Claire Turner, Director of Evidence at the Centre for Ageing Better, said: ‘These inequalities – with richer older people living around 10 years longer than those with less advantage – are shocking.
‘A good later life is something we should expect for everyone and should not be conditional on where we live or our level of affluence.
‘Cumulative poverty and disadvantage throughout life means that many people will suffer poor health, financial insecurity, weak social connections and ultimately a shorter life.
‘Tackling these shameful inequalities in health and wealth should be at the heart of policy making across health, housing, work and pensions.’
Data from the Office for National Statistics shows the wealthiest men born in England between 2014 and 2016 could expect to live 9.3 years longer than the poorest (file image)
Ellie Osborn, Health Analysis and Life Events, Office for National Statistics, said: ‘The changes in life expectancy and healthy life expectancy between 2011 to 2013 and 2014 to 2016 were generally most favourable among those living in the least deprived 10 per cent of areas in both countries.
‘There were noticeable falls in female life expectancy at birth in the 20 per cent most deprived populations in England.
‘The growth in the inequality in life expectancy was a result of more favourable longevity gains among less deprived populations.’
The life expectancy gap has risen by nearly five months in the last three years.
Boys in the least deprived 50 per cent of areas now expected to live beyond the age of 80 years, while the life expectancy of those in the 50 per cent most deprived fell short of 80 years.
The wealthiest 10 per cent can expect to live to 82.5 compared to 73.6 for the poorest.
There is an even bigger gap in ‘healthy’ life expectancy. The poorest 10 per cent of people born in England between 2014 and 2016 could only expect healthy living for 51.9 years, compared to 70.4 years for the wealthiest.
The data also shows large gaps in longevity continue for people aged 65 years in England and Wales. The gap for men exceeded 4.7 years and the gap for women exceeded 4.6 years