Oxford life expectancy gap widens between rich and poor

The difference in the expected life span of the least and most deprived male residents has grown by 1.8 years, from 8.5 years of difference in 2010-12 to 10.3 in 2017-19, analysis by the Institute of Health Equity at University College London shows. 

The updated figures come as a leading health professional has written to dozens of MPs in the worst-affected areas, including former Prime Minister Liz Truss, Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove and former Health Secretary Steve Barclay.

READ MORE: Oxfordshire Local Elections 2024 results live

Professor Sir Michael Marmot told dozens of MPs their constituents are "suffering avoidable ill-health and living shorter lives than they should".

The gap between female residents remains broadly the same in Oxford for the 2017-2019 dates, while across Oxfordshire there is a gap of 6.1 years between the most deprived males and their more well-off counterparts, and a gap of 3.8 years for females. 

This period was used because it was before the coronavirus pandemic, which substantially altered life expectancy figures.

 Sir Michael has written letters to the 58 MPs whose constituencies lie wholly or partially in the worst-affected local areas.

Also among the recipients are Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer, Conservative Party chairman Richard Holden, justice minister Edward Argar, former immigration minister Robert Jenrick, and former health minister Maggie Throup.

"We need you to fight for all your constituents’ health," Sir Michael said. 

"They are suffering avoidable ill-health and living shorter lives than they should due to poor policies and cuts to essential services."

Sir Michael has also written to the leaders of all major political parties demanding action.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak

In his letter to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Sir Michael said austerity and funding cuts have "harmed health and worsened health inequalities".

The analysis also shows Oxford City Council's spending power declined by 44 per cent in real terms from 2010-11 and 2020-21, when factoring in council tax rises and central government funding.

A government spokesperson said they were committed to narrowing the gap in health life expectancy by 2030, as set out in the Levelling Up White Paper. 

They also outlined their goal to increase healthy life expectancy by five years by 2035.

"Our upcoming Major Conditions Strategy will help us do this, by tackling the key drivers of ill-health in England," they said.

"We are also investing £15 billion in local communities across the UK as part of our long-term plan to level up, ensure opportunity is spread more equally and to reduce inequalities."

They said they have given councils in England up to £64.7 billion for 2024-25, a 7.5 per cent rise in cash terms.