§ Linda PerhamTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to address the impact of health indicators on differences in life expectancy between different London boroughs. [113910]
§ Mr. HuttonThe Government has a Public Service Agreement target to reduce inequalities in health outcomes by 10 per cent., as measured by infant mortality and life expectancy at birth. In order to track progress towards this high level target, local indicators can be used to assess the effect of action on geographical health inequalities. The process of developing the London Health Strategy included identifying a set of 10 such indicators that would be used to measure changes over time and to monitor progress towards reducing health inequalities. This includes an indicator on life expectancy at birth.
The indicators can be used to contribute to a picture of inequalities in health across London's population, including variations between London boroughs and to establish whether action taken is having the desired effect.