News story

18th September 2002

Life Expectancy Lower Under Labour

Steve Webb MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, revealing figures in today’s Government report into poverty, said:

“Figures hidden in today’s report speak volumes about Labour’s indifference towards older people.

“The cold fact is that people are dying earlier under Labour. As healthcare and standards of living increase you would expect life expectancy to rise. This is not the case.

“The percentage of people contributing to non-state pensions is also down. Labour’s attempts to encourage more contributions has failed. The public understandably has no confidence in Labour’s handling of pensions.

“The Labour spin might say that today’s report is evidence of their success. The figures suggest otherwise.”

ENDS

1. Today’s Government report ‘Opportunity for All – the Fourth Annual Report’ contains the following information:

Proportion of working age people contributing to a non-state pension – Great Britain (page 178)
1996-1997 – 47%
2000-2001 – 44%

Proportion of working age men contributing to a non-state pension – Great Britain (page 178)
1996-1997 – 56%
2000-2001 – 51%

Healthy life expectancy at age 65 (England) (page 181)
Males (1997) – 11.9 years
Males (1999) – 11.6 years
Females (1997) – 13.3 years
Females (1999) – 13.1 years