- New figures show England's North-South life expectancy divide has widened over the past decade, with a three-year difference between London and the North East.
- Life expectancy in Northern regions has seen minimal improvement, contrasting with increases in London and Southern areas, despite national highs recorded in 2025.
- 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.
- 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.
- Prime Minister 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.
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