How lengthy you will reside, relying on the place you’re within the UK

Women in the South West of England live up to two and a half years longer than those in the north of the country, according to new research.

Northern women also spend more of their lives working longer hours for less pay.

Specifically, women living in the North East, North West, and the Yorkshire and the Humber have the lowest life expectancy in the country; surviving an average of 81.2 years, 81.3 years, and 81.9 years respectively. 

This is about a year below the English national average of 82.8 years, and between two and three years lower than their counterparts in the South West who live, on average, up to 83.9 years.

Women who live in areas with reduced life expectancy also saw reduced heathy life expectancy, which measures the years a person can expect to enjoy good health. 

Girls born in the North East can only expect to live in good health until the age of 59.7, before developing diseases and conditions that put them in poor health. 

This is four years sooner than the national average of about 64 years and up to six years less of healthy life than girls born in the South East.

This is according to a study published by Health Equity North, an NHS and university supported institute.

The report, Woman of the North: Inequality, health and work, is backed by two female northern elected mayors, Tracy Brabin and Kim McGuinness, and calls for Westminster to do more to tackle regional inequality. 

Another finding was that about one in 10 women in the North of England reported having a long-term illness or condition that limits their day-to-day activities ‘a lot’ compared to just 6.5 per cent in the South East. 

Women in the North also have worse mental health, and are more likely to suffer domestic violence or to end up in the criminal justice system than their counterparts in the rest of England.

The report also found women in the North contribute £10bn of unpaid care to the UK economy each year.

The research found that girls born in the North East, North West and Yorkshire and the Humber between 2018 and 2020 can only expect to live in good health until 59.7, 62.4 and 62.1 years, respectively. Pictured Newcastle-upon-Tyne in the North East

Healthy life expectancy refers to the number of years that a person is expected to live in good health. It differs from total life expectancy which covers all years both healthy and those in poor health people typically experience as they age. Stock image

One in five women aged 55-59 in the North of England provide care to a family member because of sickness, disability, mental illness or substance use. This compared to less than one in five women for England nationally.

But even their paid work is less rewarding. The report found women in the North collectively lose out on £132m every week, or nearly £7bn a year, compared to what they’d get if they were paid the same wages as women in the rest of the country. 

Data also show the average weekly wage for a full-time working woman in the North East is £569, £598 in the North West and £567 in Yorkshire and the Humber.

This compares to the national average female wage of £625 and £757 for women in London (£757).

Hannah Davies, executive director at Health Equity North, said: ‘Our report provides damning evidence of how women in the North are being failed across the whole span of their lives.

‘Over the last 10 years, women in the North have been falling behind their counterparts in the rest of country, both in terms of the wider determinants of health and, consequently, inequalities in their health.

‘There is a lot of work that needs to be done to turn the tide on the years of damage detailed in this report.

‘But the situation for women’s health in the North can be changed for the better through evidence-based policy interventions.’

Ms Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: ‘While the findings of this report will resonate with every woman and girl in West Yorkshire, they must now act as a vital wake up call to everyone in a position of power.’

And Ms McGuinness, North East Mayor, added: ‘From leaving school to the boardroom, at home and at work, women and girls across the North bear the brunt of failings in our economy, society and public services.

‘The lack of equality and opportunity that remains ingrained in modern Britain is unacceptable.’

Among the measures suggested were helping women to claim their rightful benefits, improving childcare provision and ending the two-child benefit cap.