The life expectancy of the most deprived people in Worcester has improved compared with their wealthier neighbours, figures show.

New analysis by academics from the Institute of Health Equity at University College London shows the difference in life expectancy of the least and most deprived female residents in Worcester has shrunk by 4.5 years, from 6.6 in 2010-12 to 2.1 in 2017-19.

This period was used because it was before the coronavirus pandemic, which substantially altered life expectancy figures.

Meanwhile, the gap between the richest and poorest male residents has shrunk by 1.6 years.

Lisa McNally, director of public health in Worcestershire, said: “It’s positive that Worcester saw a closing of the gap in life expectancy between the most and least deprived.

“It’s important that we’re all able to improve our health, not just those who are better off financially.

“The average life expectancy across Worcestershire is significantly better than the rest of the country. However, more needs to be done to ensure that people can live longer lives in good health. 

“There are lots of ways that people can improve their health, with lots of helpful advice and information at https://www.worcestershire.gov.uk/council-services/health-and-wellbeing/healthy-adults.”

Despite this, a leading health professional has written to dozens of MPs in the worst-affected areas, including former Prime Minister Liz Truss, Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove and former health secretary Steve Barclay.

Professor Sir Michael Marmot told dozens of MPs their constituents are "suffering avoidable ill-health and living shorter lives than they should".

Sir Michael, in his letter to 58 MPs, said: “We need you to fight for all your constituents’ health. “They are suffering avoidable ill-health and living shorter lives than they should due to poor policies and cuts to essential services.”

And in a letter to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, he said austerity and funding cuts have "harmed health and worsened health inequalities".

A government spokesperson said: "As set out in our Levelling Up White Paper, we are committed to narrowing the gap in healthy life expectancy by 2030 and to increasing healthy life expectancy by five years by 2035.

"Our upcoming Major Conditions Strategy will help us do this, by tackling the key drivers of ill-health in England.”