{"success":true,"data":{"id":"33aa5722-8171-40da-9c87-555bfbbf95c5","title":"North-South life expectancy gap grows despite record longevity","summary":"Light Dark Thank you for registering Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in Please refresh your browser to be logged in North-South life expectancy gap grows despite record longevity Jane KirbyMonday 27 July 2026 06:43 BST Copy link Bookmark pop...","content":"Light Dark\n\n### Thank you for registering\n\nPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in Please refresh your browser to be logged in\n\n# North-South life expectancy gap grows despite record longevity\n\n[Jane Kirby](https://www.independent.co.uk/author/jane-kirby)Monday 27 July 2026 06:43 BST\n\n*   Copy link  \n\n## Bookmark popover\n\nRemoved from bookmarks\n\nClose popover\n\nPowered By\n\n10 Sec\n\n2.2K\n\n00\n\nITR EP30 FINAL\n\nNext video in\n\nNext\n\nKEEP WATCHING\n\nAndy Burnham is Prime Minister. Now what?\n\n*   New figures show [England](https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/england)'s [North](https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/north)-[South](https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/south)[life expectancy](https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/life-expectancy) divide has widened over the past decade, with a three-year difference between London and the North East. \n*   Life expectancy in Northern regions has seen minimal improvement, contrasting with increases in London and Southern areas, despite national highs recorded in 2025. \n*   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. \n*   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. \n*   Prime Minister [Andy Burnham](https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/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. \n\nIn full\n\n[](https://rtb-use.mfadsrvr.com/click/oBaDKJcorn35xnnfdrK1pTEvkERK54BAyIXKQZpcdOE9MXTLet9RWXBNhxQa_CHW-yPJLQH22qNifQgaUB3-HHZYND_wLTYpc3-91nRCH2xu-q-BjbnGPrxGNkDuJMo2DYRzi7_VthAmByfAamzC079ZlSbRLSGNTQFMhtPR2dD--Shkf5g2Y5YjI_9Un8UWEDqOL5VYwjTedaO4IWC-NV87vGE7k_-yL7lr1vWlqemMMN6xfjCfU3hbo1AiFk4zIq_CS4s0iv-znuqQzy3-9UThVZtIAeWe52GTbYZ2NRCTTGsoeK8494eIrp6k-D1dmsv1VnkuTVdc3bBN357eLeXHS6BDpLOvOdg84hI1bbs84ovQQ_4lvWHimrLHjsrbXG4Pin3Ta4YAJs6PeHCM2kAgxwbYHcXEbboF0oL9fu9kHHo0hnMu4MJnKSnmpPSjwCFRKUZJz4tqxKiVx409KvV06fVPu0JHhtTkuob_zKKrMwYDTuft_u9SFTIxg0ugJh9k-zUEO9x19TZaDFNy9rQkc2vGnaCAITpn6Sp5//)[Seniors Born 1939-1969 Receive 11 Benefits This Month If They Ask Super Saving Online | 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\"12 Things To Cut When Living On Retirement\")\n\nMore bulletins","source_name":"The Independent","source_url":"https://www.independent.co.uk/bulletin/news/uk-north-south-life-expectancy-b3021952.html","url":"https://www.independent.co.uk/bulletin/news/uk-north-south-life-expectancy-b3021952.html","author":"Jane Kirby","author_name":"Jane 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