Scots’ life expectancy remains worst in UK

LIFE expectancy in Scotland has tumbled again and remains the worst anywhere in the UK, according to official figures that heaped more pressure on the SNP’S under-fire health secretary.

National Records of Scotland (NRS) said the average lifespan for men fell by 11 weeks last year, to 76.6 years. Women’s life expectancy fell by eight weeks, to 80.8 years.

NRS attributed much of the drop to Covid, but recent figures showed average life expectancy across the UK was more than two years higher for both men (79 years) and women (82.9 years).

The report also disclosed a widening gap between the life expectancy of rich and poor Scots, with the wealthiest men living 13.7 years longer than the poorest and the most well-off women living 10.5 years longer.

Opposition parties said Nicola Sturgeon and Humza Yousaf, her health secretary, had to take responsibility after 15 years of SNP control over the NHS.

Dr Sandesh Gulhane, the Scottish Tories’ shadow health secretary, said: “These deeply alarming numbers have the fingerprints of Nicola Sturgeon and Humza Yousaf all over them.”