Disparities between the north and south of England in terms of both health and wealth remain pronounced, according to the latest regional snapshot from the Office of National Statistics.
The average person in the north of England is statistically likely to be poorer, live a shorter life and be more susceptible to serious illness.
The North East, North West and Yorkshire and the Humber have lower life expectancy and higher mortality rates from cancer, respiratory and circulatory diseases compared to the overall England average, says the ONS’ 42nd Regional Trends report.
Despite this shorter life expectancy, the overall number of over-65s is set to dramatically increase nationally over the next two decades from 9.6 million in 2006 to just under 16 million people by 2031.
Equally, the number of those aged 75 and over is expected to almost double from
4.6 million to 8.2 million.
In some regions, the proportion of men aged 65 and over will almost double by 2031 compared to 2006 – much faster than the increase in elderly women.
In the East Midlands, projections indicate there will be 90 per cent more men aged 65 and over by 2031, compared to 69 per cent more women. In the east region, the figures are 83 per cent and 66 per cent respectively.
But in poorer areas the gender gap is widening: in west Glasgow men’s life expectancy is about 78, while in east Glasgow it is 54.
In London and much of northern England, more than one in seven people over the age of 60 lives in a deprived area, compared to only one in 50 across the south.
In income terms, the north-east of England also had the lowest average household income in Britain at £400 a week, while London had the highest average net income at £620 a week in 2007/08.
Once housing costs are taken into account, the difference in average weekly net incomes between London and the north-east is reduced and becomes £510 a week compared to £350 a week.
While the South-East, South-West, East of England and London all registered largely better than average in terms of health outcomes, the otherwise rosy picture of a healthy London is marred by the potential health “time bomb” of childhood obesity.
A rate of 11.2 per cent of childhood obesity in reception class in 2008-09 in London was the highest, compared with the lowest regions, the east of England and the South-East (both 8.7 per cent).
Contrary to some expectations, drug use among 16-24 year olds is lower in London (17 per cent) than in the South-East (26 per cent) and South-West (19 per cent).
Wales enjoyed greatest increase in average income – rising 16 per cent over the three-year period between 2004-05 to the time of the survey.
