Scots live two years less than the English

SCOTS can expect to live two years less than people born in England, figures show.

The Office for National Statistic data reveal the average life expectancy of those born in the UK in 2014-16 and indicate that Scots lag behind the rest of Britain.

Scottish males have a life expectancy of 77.1 years, compared to the UK average of 79.2 and the English average of 79.5.

Scots females have a life expectancy of 81.1 years, compared to the UK average of 82.9, and the English average of 83.1.

The figures also found healthy life expectancy, a lifespan spent in ‘good health’, differs by as much as 18 years across the UK.

‘Deeply ingrained inequalities’

The London Borough of Richmond upon Thames recorded the highest healthy life expectancy in the UK for men at 69.9 years, while Orkney saw the highest for women at 73.

By contrast, Dundee saw the lowest healthy life expectancy for men at 54.3 years and Manchester for women at 54.6.

Public Health Minister Aileen Campbell said: ‘It is welcome that Scotland’s life expectancy continues to increase but we are under no illusion this needs to go higher and faster, not least when compared to our neighbours.

‘Deeply ingrained health and social inequalities play a large role and we are committed to reducing these.

‘We are introducing a range of measures designed to make people in Scotland healthier, tackling obesity and addressing substance misuse.’