North-south life expectancy divide to continue until 2080

Wealth, health, power, opportunity and "systemic inequalities" are just a few of the reasons the North East is set to see the north-south life expectancy divide endure for decades, according to a new report.

The report, released by The Institute for Public Policy Research North (IPPR) found it will be 2080 before the gap in healthy life expectancy will change - and the region would still lag behind others.

The report states: "The number of years you can expect to live in good health in the North and Midlands would be two-and-a-half years shorter than the South and three-and-a-half years shorter than in London.

"The worst-performing region, the North East, is also on course for a decline across both male and female groups.

"Extending these overall trajectories, the gap in healthy life expectancy between the North and the all-England average would not close until 2056/57 while the gap between the North and South East would endure until 2079/80, and the gap between the North and London would grow."

While the report goes on to say the north is "ambitious for a better future", it adds: "Gaps in power, wealth, opportunity, and health result in shorter, sicker, less fulfilling lives."

Stockton North MP Alex Cunningham hit out at the "appalling" news, and claimed the government has done nothing to stop it.

He said: "This is appalling news but is only confirmation of what health professionals and others have been saying for years.

"After 14 years of Conservative Government, nothing has happened to close the gap and national comparisons are widening further. It is even worse locally – people in the Town Centre ward in Stockton are expected to live 16 years fewer than people just down the road in Ingleby Barwick."

He added: "But this news comes after reports of a huge increase in child poverty, people unable to see a GP for weeks on end, dental appointments which are simply not available and waiting lists for operations stretching and stretching. 

"Some appointments for operations that took a few weeks in 2010 can now take many months and, in some cases, over a year. 

"Only a change of Government will restore the NHS to health and tackle the huge inequalities in our country and our communities."

The report's analysis found that although England’s average wealth per person grew from around £226,300 in 2010 to £290,800 by 2020, regional inequalities in wealth have widened.

The gap per head between the average wealth per person in England overall and the North stood at £71,000 in 2020, almost double the gap in 2010, at around £37,300.

Also based on current trends, by 2030 London’s employment rate will be 66 per cent, while the North East’s will "barely reach" 56 per cent.

Report author and IPPR North research fellow Marcus Johns affirmed that "urgent action" is needed to improve this.

He said: "No one should be condemned to live a shorter, sicker, less fulfilling, or poorer life simply because of where they were born.

"It’s hard to avoid the conclusion we are headed in the wrong direction on inequality in health, wealth, power, and opportunity while local government finances languish in chaos."

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A Government spokesperson said: "Levelling Up is a long-term programme of reform that sits at the heart of our ambition as a Government.

"From investment in town centres and high streets to devolving more money and power to local communities, we are spreading opportunity across the North and to places where investment is most needed.

"We have committed £13 billion to levelling up, which is supporting projects to improve everyday life for people across the UK – regenerating town centres and high streets, local transport and cultural and heritage assets."