Age UK comment on ONS stats on life expectancy

ONS statistics released today show that in 2007-9 men had a 68.4 per cent chance of surviving until the age of 75 and women had a 78.6 per cent chance of surviving until the age of 75. This is an increase from the 2003-5 figures which were 65.1 per cent and 76.5 per cent respectively.

In response to the figures, Michelle Mitchell, charity director at Age UK said:

'It‘s good news that overall the probability of living up to the age of 75 continues to improve and more of us can expect to live longer lives than ever before.

'Disappointingly there remain considerable gaps in life expectancy across the country, with men in South Buckinghamshire almost 25 percentage points more likely to live to 75 than men in Manchester. These wide variations highlight the huge disparity in the general health of people living in different areas of the country. 

'As the state pension rises to 66 by 2020, it is people living in poorer areas with lower life expectancies who will see their retirements cut short.  With such wide gaps the Government should be extremely cautious about proposals for further increases to the State Pension Age and ensure that people with the poorest health and low life expectancy are not disadvantaged'

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Notes to Editors

Age UK

For media enquiries relating to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland please contact the appropriate national office: Age Scotland on 0131 668 8055, Age Cymru on 029 2043 1562 and Age NI on 028 9024 5729.

Age UK is the new force combining Age Concern and Help the Aged, dedicated to improving later life.

We provide free information, advice and support to over five million people; commercial products and services to over one million customers; and research and campaign on the issues that matter to people in later life. Our work focuses on five key areas: money matters, health and well being, home and care, work and training and leisure and lifestyle. We work with our national partners, Age Scotland, Age Cymru and Age NI (together the Age UK Family), our local Age UK partners in England and local Age Concerns. We also work internationally for people in later life as a member of the DEC and with our sister charity Help Age International.

Age UK is a charitable company limited by guarantee and registered in England (registered charity number 1128267 and company number 6825798). Age Concern England and Help the Aged (both registered charities), and their trading and other associated companies merged on the 1st April 2009. Together they have formed the Age UK Group ("we").  Charitable services are offered through Age UK and commercial products are offered by the Charity's trading companies, which donate their net profits to Age UK (the Charity).

Media contact: Vicky Smith or Andrew Walker
Tel: 020 3033 1438 or 020 3033 1433
Out of hours: 07071 243 243