The life expectancy of the most deprived female residents in Carlisle has fallen behind their wealthier neighbours, new 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 Carlisle has grown by 2.8 years, from 5.5 in 2010-12 to 8.3 in 2017-19.

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

However, the gap between the richest and poorest male residents has shrunk by 0.6 years.

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The analysis also shows Carlisle City Council's spending power declined by 36 per cent in real terms from 2010-11 and 2020-21, when factoring in council tax rises and central government funding before local government reorganisation. 

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."