Life expectancy is 10 years lower in the most deprived areas of Scotland than in the more affluent areas of South-East England, according to the latest report from National Statistics. The report of life expectancy by local authority for 199597 showed that the highest male life expectancy in Glasgow City was 10 years lower than Chiltern, Buckinghamshire.

Commenting on the report, Dr Jeff French from the Health Development Agency, said the differences were symptomatic of 'differences in smoking behaviour, diet and educational attainment'. He said policies to fight the core causes of ill health such as the Sure Start Programme, New Deal and neighbourhood renewal'would, over time, help reduce the health gap.