Huge inequalities show 12-year life expectancy gap in town

The stark picture and levels of deprivation facing areas of the town have been highlighted in a report published by Warrington Borough Council.

The figures, which are the most up to date, are based on data from 2013 to 2017.

The life expectancy gap – the difference between the highest and lowest ward estimates – is 11.9 years for women and 10.6 years for men.

Women in Stockton Heath are expected to live the longest at 89.2 years old, with it being 87.4 in Great Sankey North and Whittle Hall, 86.6 in Lymm North and Thelwall and 85.7 in Appleton.

However, women in Latchford East are expected to live until they are 77.3 years old, with it being 78.4 in Fairfield and Howley, 78.6 in Westbrook and 80.2 in Burtonwood and Winwick.

Appleton, pictured, is one of the least deprived areas in the town

Men in Grappenhall are expected to live the longest out of males in the town at 83.5 years old, with it being 82.3 in Great Sankey North and Whittle Hall, 82 in Appleton and 81.8 in Lymm North and Thelwall.

However, at the other end of the scale, the male life expectancy in Bewsey and Whitecross is 72.9 years old, 73.3 in Latchford East, 75.1 in Poplars and Hulme and 75.4 in Latchford West.

The council says inequalities in life expectancy can be tackled to some degree by focusing on the main causes of death in Warrington – cancer and cardiovascular disease.

“Life expectancy has increased substantially over the years, although the pace of improvement nationally, regionally and locally appears to have slowed recently,” said a spokesman.

“Although life expectancy figures locally are slightly lower than the current average for England, analysis of longer-term trends suggest that the gap between Warrington and the national picture is narrowing.

“Many of the risk factors for both of these conditions are largely preventable and we can all take steps to improve our own health, by making small lifestyle changes, to reduce the risk of developing disease.

“There is lots of support available for people who want to make positive changes such as cutting down on alcohol, losing weight, being more active or quitting smoking.”

Town Hall

The recently approved central six regeneration masterplan aims to transform the lives of residents living in the borough’s central six wards.

It includes innovative proposals to shape the future in Bewsey and Whitecross, Fairfield and Howley, Latchford East, Latchford West, Orford and Poplars and Hulme.

The spokesman added: “Addressing underlying causes of inequality such as income, employment, education and training is also important and much can be achieved by enabling growth and development in more deprived areas, ensuring people have access to, and benefit from, our strong economy.

“Town centre development is ideally placed to enable growth and to bring businesses into central Warrington.

“The central area neighbourhood masterplan – central six – has been developed, in partnership with residents, to improve the living environment and boost opportunities for people living in the central wards.”

Council leader Cllr Russ Bowden says tackling the inequality gaps has always been one of his biggest priorities.

Cllr Russ Bowden

“We have called it closing the gap for a long time and that is around not just life expectancy, but just health outcomes more widely,” he said.

“But also thinking about people’s life chances, education outcomes and access to services. Closing the gap is really important.

“It is absolutely crucial and it is a fundamental mission of the council.”

The Labour politician also highlighted the strength of Warrington’s economy.

“We have got plenty of opportunity but it doesn’t mean a great deal unless everyone in the town can share in that success,” added Cllr Bowden.

A deprivation profile report for 2019 also highlighted the levels of income deprivation in the area.

Warrington is considered the 154th most income deprived of 317 local authorities in England.

Warrington town centre

It was previously ranked 167th out of 326 local authorities, in 2015.

But compared to other Cheshire local authorities, Warrington is ranked less income deprived than Halton, 30th, similar to Cheshire West and Chester, 159th, and more deprived than Cheshire East, 226th

Furthermore, Warrington is considered the 124th most employment deprived of the 317 local authorities in England.

It was previously ranked 132nd out of 326 local authorities, in 2015.

Council leader Cllr Russ Bowden says a striking report highlights the ‘starkest message yet’ about the impact austerity has had on communities.

Cllr Russ Bowden

Sir Michael Marmot has warned England’s health is faltering – 10 years on from the Marmot Review.

The new report says, since 2010, there have been widespread and deep cuts in most areas of public spending, a result of austerity and Government responses to perceived financial pressures.

It states, since 2010, life expectancy in England has stalled and that this has not happened since at least 1900.

Statements outlining the key findings from the report add: “If health has stopped improving it is a sign that society has stopped improving.

“When a society is flourishing health tends to flourish.

“Large funding cuts have affected the social determinants across the whole of England, but deprived areas and areas outside London and the South East experienced larger cuts; their capacity to improve social determinants of health has been undermined.”

The report has caused concern in the borough – including from the council leader.

Cllr Bowden said: “What Marmot has really shown us for the first time is that life expectancy is in decline and I think it’s the starkest message yet about what the impact of austerity is.”

But he was keen to highlight the efforts of the Labour-run authority in delivering for people.

He added: “Obviously, we have done a lot around investment and place-making and things like Time Square.

“But, actually, it’s the people that matter, everything we do is for the residents of Warrington.”
Time Square is the council’s flagship £142.5 million town centre regeneration scheme.

Cineworld at Time Square

Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) are clinically-led statutory NHS bodies responsible for the planning and commissioning of health care services for specific areas.

Warrington CCG says it is working closely with partners across the borough – such as NHS providers and the council’s public health and social care services – to help people in the town live longer and healthier.

“We know smoking and obesity are the biggest risk factors for being diagnosed with a long-term condition and a reduced life expectancy,” said a spokesman.

“As a result, large scale, carefully planned, disease prevention programmes are underway that encourage and support people to make positive lifestyle changes.

“They focus on areas such as stopping smoking, reducing alcohol use and improving the management of blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes.

Disease prevention programmes encouraging people to make positive lifestyle changes, including a focus on reducing alcohol, are under way

“We are also improving child health programmes to help educate future generations.

“We have also invested significantly in support for earlier cancer detection and screening, improved mental health services and a frailty programme to help people to regain and maintain their independence.”

But Warrington and Halton Green Party claims the council is partly to blame for the huge income gaps between residents in the borough.

New leader Lyndsay McAteer also insists the Labour-run authority needs to be doing more to invest in public services.

She said: “Community development, youth services and adult social services are all departments which have had their funding cut recently.

“These vital services are part of the social framework which is needed if our town is to become a more equal place for everyone, regardless of which ward they live in.

“The Green Party believes that the council is partly to blame for the huge income gaps between residents in the north of the town and those who live in the leafier wards.”

Lyndsay McAteer

Ms McAteer, who stood for the Greens in Warrington North in the general election in December, also believes a Green New Deal would create new jobs and new sources of income for many people in Warrington.

She added: “Measures to end exploitive zero-hours contracts, an increase in the living wage and moves to implement a four-day week are all positive actions which could be adopted to reduce inequality.

“Universal basic income and free universal childcare are policies which could have a massive impact for Warrington residents.

“There are significant pockets of poverty and deprivation in our town and the growth in foodbank use is testament to this.”

It comes as the chair of Warrington Conservatives insists Prime Minister Boris Johnson is dedicated to delivering for the town’s communities.

Wendy Maisey, who stood for the Tories in Warrington North in last year’s general election, came close to pulling off what would have been one of the biggest shocks of the night in December.

She said she really believes the Government is committed to levelling up the whole country, including Warrington.

Wendy Maisey

“People across the UK are rightly proud of where they come from, but too many communities feel let down,” she added.

“Great towns and communities are being held back. 

“That’s why the Government has set out an agenda to level up every part of the UK, including Warrington which is set to receive an £8 million share of the £49.2 billion of local government funding.

“It wants places such as Warrington to thrive with great places to shop, eat and with transport that is accessible.

“The Conservatives were elected on a promise to level up local communities across the whole country, including here in Warrington.

“People felt let down by Labour. In the General Election, whole communities who had never before voted Conservative showed they wanted a change from Labour’s failings and I believe the Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the Conservatives are dedicated to deliver for our communities.”

But Cllr Bob Barr, leader of the town’s Liberal Democrats, has expressed fresh concerns over the current situation.

Cllr Bob Barr

He said: “The discrepancies between the life expectancy of residents in Warrington’s least and most advantaged wards would be shocking if we didn’t know that the situation is even worse among some of our neighbours, and nationally, and is getting worse.

“However, it is particularly sad to see that Warrington’s central wards, that made up the old town of Warrington, remain seriously disadvantaged 50 years after outer Warrington was designated a New Town.

“The decision to oppose that designation then, and the failure to make the old town as good as the New Town has left disadvantage, reflected in poor life expectancy, concentrated in central Warrington.

“To improve opportunities and health outcomes in the future it is going to be essential to work to make Warrington a more equal town than it is now.”

Council leader Cllr Russ Bowden has expressed concerns over some of the most vulnerable people in the town potentially being ‘left behind’ as the country deals with the coronavirus outbreak.

But housing secretary Robert Jenrick said the Government stands ready to do whatever is necessary to support councils in their response to coronavirus.

He added: “As part of the national effort to keep the public safe and deliver essential public services, this Government stands with local councils at this difficult time.

“Everyone needs to play their part to help the most vulnerable in society and support their local economy and the Government will do whatever is necessary to support these efforts.”