How are you working to address the disparity in life expectancy rates between different boroughs, taking into account the factors of racial and socio-economic inequalities?

The latest data on life expectancy indicates a widening of the gap between the richest and the poorest. Looking at boroughs - while a man living in Westminster will live on average to 85, in Barking and Dagenham average life expectancy is just 77. Eight years’ difference. These differences are even greater when we look at more specific localities and communities.

On the 10th December I published a new implementation plan for the London Health Inequalities Strategy. It was developed working closely with the London Health Equity Group. It sets out my, and partners such as the NHS and local authorities, priorities for action on London’s health inequalities and outlines the actions we have committed to take on the social, environmental, and economic factors that drive them. Structural racism, poverty and the climate emergency are highlighted as top priorities, and work will be taking place across partners – local and regional – to deliver change.