Scots still dying earliest

SCOTLAND continues to have among the lowest life expectancy rates in the UK, figures show.

The Office for National Statistics found that for 2007-9, life expectancy for men was highest in south-east England at 79.4, and lowest in Scotland at 75.4.

For women there was a similar pattern, with the highest in the south-east and south-west of England at 83.3, and lowest in Scotland at 80.1.

Glasgow Shettleston Labour MSP Frank McAveety said: "These figures show that much more needs to be done to fight poverty and they should serve as a wake-up call to politicians."

Life expectancy at birth for Scotland has improved over the past decade from 72.7 years to 75.4 years for men and from 78.2 years to 80.1 years for women.

Health secretary Nicola Sturgeon said: "The increase in life expectancy is encouraging and we hope to see this trend continue."