§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what action he intends to implement to ensure that the equality of life expectancy is increased in the north with the south.
§ Mrs. CurrieGeographic variation in life expectancy is a complex and long-standing phenomenon which must be viewed against the background of a steady improvement in the overall health of the nation. Health inequalities between regions are to be found in many countries. In terms of equality in age at death, England stands up well in international comparison.
Unhealthy lifestyles and unhealthy diets create major risks to health. We are determined that all social groups throughout the country should have the information they need to make wise choices to protect their health.
The Government have taken a number of steps to promote good health and to ensure the equitable distribution of health care resources. The Government have pursued a policy of allocating health authority resources so as to ensure, over time, equal opportunity of access to health care for people in equal need, using the resource allocation working party's approach. Substantial progress has been made in bringing regions closer to their RAWP targets, and this year all regions are within 4 per cent. of target. The review of the RAWP formula carried out by the NHS management board has explored the scope for improving the way in which the current formula measures relative need across the country. The resulting recommendations are being considered and an announcement will be made shortly.