Older northerners face greater poverty and poor health

Older people in northern England are more likely to be poorer, less healthy, physically inactive, lonely and live in poor housing than those in the south, according to a new report.

The research highlights deepening regional inequalities, including a higher rate of economic inactivity among 50- to 64-year-olds in the North, where more than 900,000 people in that age group are not working. The report estimates this may reduce GDP by £10.9bn each year.

The Ageing in the North study, carried out by the Northern Health Science Alliance (NHSA), found that adults over 65 in the North are 27 per cent more likely to experience food insecurity than those in the South.

Poverty rates among over-65s in the North East and Yorkshire and the Humber rose by 10 per cent between 2012 and 2022.

Professor Alan Walker, co-author from the University of Sheffield’s Healthy Lifespan Institute, said: “This report paints an alarming picture of how inequality has eaten away at the quality of life of so many older northerners.

“In almost every aspect we investigated, there is a yawning gap between the North and the South – from their income and health to their housing, social care and sense of isolation.

“This gap is hardly new, but the most frustrating thing about it is that it is totally reversible – assuming that policymakers are willing to take decisive steps to address these issues, and provide a better life for our family members, friends, and neighbours as they age.”

Researchers analysed living conditions for older people across England.

Housing was a key issue. The study found 1.47m homes in the North are classed as “non-decent”, with more than a third occupied by people aged over 60.

The regions of the North East, North West and Yorkshire and the Humber also have the highest proportion of over-65s living in care homes.

The study also found that people in the South are more likely to retire by choice, whereas people in the North are more often pushed out of work due to poor health.

This contributes to higher levels of economic inactivity – where people are neither working nor looking for work – and drives wider economic differences between regions.

The NHSA said it believed the divide was “totally reversible” and called on the government to “prioritise tackling the root causes of unequal ageing”.

The report recommends a cross-government strategy to prevent inequality in later life by addressing housing, education, employment and health.

It also calls for closer coordination between local authorities, housing providers, combined authorities and the NHS, alongside developing a national housing strategy for older people and creating age-friendly, accessible homes.

Shipley MP Anna Dixon, who wrote the foreword, said: “Where you live shouldn’t affect your experience of ageing.

“This report brings into sharp focus the reality of how unequal ageing is across England.”