Survey: Money to buy people a longer life?

The study by longevity experts Club Vita shows that people living in Kensington and Chelsea live the longest in the UK to 86.6 – 6 years above the national average, while the average weekly household income is second highest in the country.

Glasgow, on the other hand, has the lowest life expectancy of anywhere in the UK at just 74 years. Weekly household income is just £434 per week – ninth lowest in the country.

Many London boroughs buck the trend with high income levels but low life expectancy. A number of London commuter towns also follow this trend.

Conversely, much of South West London enjoys high income, yet life expectancy levels are not universally as high as might be expected. Similarly, those living in many London commuter towns such as Watford, Windsor, Maidenhead, Reading and Brighton also have a life expectancy that is less than the national average for people earning similar incomes.

Club Vita analysed the correlation between how much people earn and life expectancy levels on a national scale to reveal direct links between the two. It said that there are clear parallels between areas of high income and the chance to enjoy a long retirement. By contrast, many poorer areas of the country face a much shorter life after work, particularly with the State Retirement Age set to rise in the coming years.

Nick Flint, Chief Executive of Club Vita said: "The link between high wealth and increased life expectancy has been suspected but our analysis highlights the true extent of the longevity gap between the haves and have-nots in society. Across the UK we've seen life expectancy increasing more slowly at the lower end over the past 15 years and this trend looks set to continue."


/Telegraph.co.uk/