England's life expectancy hits record high, but gains overwhelmingly concentrated in the south

Provisional ONS figures show English life expectancy reached all-time highs in 2025 — men at 80 years, women nearly 84. A King's Fund analysis finds gains went overwhelmingly to southern regions. London added nearly a year over a decade; five northern and Midland regions saw little or no improvement. In Blackpool, men die 10 years sooner than in Hart, Hampshire.