Scandal of Scots death rate that’s STILL higher than rest of UK

SCOTLAND’S mortality rate is still the worst in the UK.

For men, the mortality rate in 2016 was 1,326.5 deaths per 100,000 population, compared with the UK average of 1,145.9.

According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), for men in England it was 1,122.4, for Wales it was 1,227.3, while in Northern Ireland it was 1,177.6.

For women in Scotland, the mortality rate was 988.5 deaths per 100,000, compared with the UK average of 852.5.

In England it was 834.4, in Wales it was 898.8 and in Northern Ireland 892.9.

The UK as a whole has fallen to the ‘bottom of the league’ when it comes to improving life expectancy, experiencing one of the biggest slowdowns in increased life expectancy between 2011 and 2016.

The UK has seen steady increases in life expectancy for decades, but since 2011 these have been slowing.

The report states: ‘All four constituent countries of the UK have experienced a slowdown in mortality improvements from around 2011. Mortality rates for England have been the lowest of the constituent countries throughout the period 1981 to 2016 for both males and females, while mortality rates in Scotland have been highest.’

Sophie Sanders of the ONS said: ‘We have seen steady increases in life expectancy for many decades. However, since 2011 these increases have been slowing down across the four UK countries, and this has been driven particularly by slower improvements for females and those aged 90 years and over.

‘With people living longer and surviving other illnesses, the

‘Inequalities are increasing’

number of people developing dementia is increasing.

‘Mortality rates at younger ages – under 55 years – have increased over the last few years in the UK.’

Scottish Liberal Democrat health spokesman Alex ColeHamilton said: ‘Too many Scots are still being snatched away too early. Our health service must have the resources it needs to close the gap.’

The ONS analysis of 20 countries shows many have seen mortality rates decline at a slower rate since 2011.

The United States experienced the greatest slowing in life expectancy for males at birth, dropping from an increase of 14.1 weeks each year from 2005 to 2010 to only 1.5 weeks per year from 2010 to 2015.

The UK had the second lowest rate of improvement, with the increase falling from 17.3 weeks each year to 4.2 weeks per year across the same period. The greatest slowdown for women was in the UK, from 12.9 weeks in 2005 to 2010 every year, to 1.2 weeks in 2011 to 2015.

Professor Sir Michael Marmot, of University College London’s Institute of Health Equity, described the UK life expectancy slump as ‘very worrying’.

He said: ‘We do know that inequalities in life expectancy are increasing. The slowdown is more marked in poorer areas.’

A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘We are absolutely committed to reducing the deeply ingrained health inequalities that exist across Scotland and can lead to increased mortality.’