Blackpool is among a swathe of northern areas with the lowest life expectancy in England, a new report has revealed.

A damning analysis by health think-tank The King’s Fund found men in the seaside town can expect to live for just 73.7 years on average – almost a decade less than those living in Hart, Hampshire, the area with the highest life expectancy.

Women in Blackpool fare little better, with a life expectancy of just 79.1 years – significantly below the national average and the lowest anywhere in England. 

The report has exposed a stark North-South divide, highlighted by its finding that Londoners on average live for around three years longer than those in the North East.

While life expectancy has reached record highs nationally – with men expected to live to around 80 and women to almost 84 in England – the gains were largely seen in the South. 

And in what has been described as ‘a mark of shame’, the report claims northern areas have seen little improvement.

Among the lowest, Blackpool is joined by Kingston upon Hull and Middlesbrough, where men are only expected to live until 75.5 years. Manchester follows just behind with 75.6 years, while in Lincoln the average is 75.9 years.

The Daily Mail’s tables show the regions with the highest and lowest life expectancy, according to the report.

Women in Blackpool are expected to live longer than men, reaching a life expectancy of 79.1, but this is still around eight years fewer than women in Hart and Kensington and Chelsea, where female life expectancy is among the highest in England.

Veena Raleigh, senior fellow at The King’s Fund, said: ‘That people in our northern and deprived communities have seen little or no improvement in longevity over a decade, in contrast to the health gains in their southern and more well-off counterparts, is a mark of shame for an affluent country. 

‘Addressing this inequity in the nation’s health is not just a matter of social justice, it would reduce pressures on the NHS and the high economic costs of ill health.’

Blackpool’s position is perhaps unsurprising given a series of recent reports – separate to The King’s Fund’s analysis – highlighting the town’s poor health. 

One, published last May, revealed that Blackpool was the ‘takeaway capital’ of the North West, boasting 25 fast-food shops per 10,000 people.

Another report uncovered that Blackpool had four times the average number of drug deaths, and nearly double the rate of smoking deaths.

It was also found to have the highest rates of alcohol-related deaths and serious mental health conditions in England. 

Locations like Liverpool and Burnley, which have higher levels of deprivation, also featured among the lowest life expectancies in the King’s Fund’s analysis.

This was in stark contrast to wealthy places in the South, such as Kensington and Chelsea – a hotspot for the rich and famous – where women live at an average of 87.1 years.

The report found people in the North East were more likely to be overweight or obese, have high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke and diabetes than Londoners.

They were also more likely to die prematurely from cancer and heart disease, while rates of suicide, drug deaths and alcohol-related deaths were also higher. 

Overall, healthy life expectancy – the number of years a person can expect to live in good health – fell by around two-and-a-half years in England.

However, people in affluent areas lived on average for six to seven years longer in good health than those in the most deprived regions.

Life expectancy as a whole in Britain was found to be the lowest of all comparable high-income countries, other than Germany and the US.

The report argues that London’s strong economy, higher wages and better job opportunities have helped people live longer and healthier lives. 

By contrast, they say many northern communities are still living with the effects of industrial decline, having spent decades dealing with the fallout of factory and industry closures.

They claim this has led to higher levels of poverty, unemployment and poorer living conditions, which have contributed to worse health and shorter lives.

Ms Raleigh added: ‘Improving population health and reducing entrenched health inequalities have never been more urgent and yet also more challenging, given the economic constraints facing the country.

‘It will require concerted, bold, cross-governmental action to reduce largely preventable illnesses such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes associated with poor diet, drinking and smoking, and tackle the wider determinants driving persistent poor health, especially among northern and deprived communities.

‘One of the three “radical shifts” in the Government’s ten-year health plan is from sickness to prevention. 

‘One year on, and the modest moves on this front fall well short of the bold action needed to improve public health, reduce inequalities and increase people’s lives and the years they spend in good health.’ 

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: ‘Someone’s postcode should never dictate how long they live, and this government is determined to tackle the stark inequalities that still exist across Britain. 

‘We’re already taking action, from allocating GP funding more fairly to delivering pioneering neighbourhood health centres in the areas that need them most.

‘But we will now go further in devolving power to local communities, putting decision-making into the hands of those who know their areas best, and driving lasting change across the country.’

Fast fashion is inexpensive, so when clothes become worn or damaged, replacing them often seems easier than repairing them.

Clothes are often worn just seven to ten times before they are thrown away. And 92 million tonnes of textile waste is burnt or ends up in landfill every year.

Repairing clothes can be one of the most significant ways to reduce their environmental impact. Extending a garment’s life by just nine more months can reduce its carbon, water and waste footprints by up to 20%.

But people can be put off repairing their clothes due to cost, lack of sewing skills, equipment and time.

Historically, repair has been associated with wartime necessity and domestic drudgery – such as darning socks. Wearing repaired clothing has historically been viewed as a sign of financial hardship, so people tried to make their repairs as invisible as possible to avoid stigma.

Increased uptake in repair is still often linked to economic pressures, but public attitudes to repair are changing.

Today, we are not just embracing hidden repairs – some people are actively showing them off through visible mending.

Visible mending involves repairing worn patches, tears and holes in clothes using techniques and materials that are deliberately noticeable – such as colourful stitching, embroidery and decorative patches – so that the repair is highlighted rather than hidden.

Visible repair has been linked to the centuries-old Japanese repair technique kintsugi – where broken pottery is fixed using a lacquered resin and decorated with gold. This emphasises damage as an important part of an object’s history. It has inspired the non-commercial fashion brand, Golden Joinery, to invite people to visibly mend holes and rips in their clothing with golden thread.

Visible mending has also been inspired by sashiko, a 400-year-old Japanese folk embroidery. Its repeated running stitches were traditionally used to strengthen work clothing but are now used to add decorative geometric patterns to clothing and home textiles repairs. This adds beauty to something damaged.

Although visible mending was once seen as a quiet, grassroots resistance movement to fast fashion, its popularity is growing rapidly.

Alongside a host of books published on the topic, the movement has grown quickly on social media with users tagging and showing off their repairs. The hashtag #VisibleMending has more than 56 million views on TikTok.

Plus, clothing haul videos, in which people show off their latest fast-fashion purchases, are being contested by mended haul videos where clothing repairs are shown off instead.

Embracing visible repair

Some retailers are also promoting visible repair.

Second Cashmere, a sustainable cashmere brand in Glasgow, sells recycled cashmere and restored knitwear to give clothes headed to landfill a second life. They help customers extend the lives of their cashmere by selling mending kits and provide a repair service where customers can have their items repaired invisibly or visibly.

The outdoor clothing brand Patagonia also offers a product repair service.

Patagonia inspires their customers to adopt a DIY approach to their own repairs at home – offering repair kits, replacement trims, spare parts plus repair guides and video tutorials. Their worn wear programme encourages customers to embrace the marks of repair as an important part of a garment’s story. Customers are invited to show off their patched up and repaired items with pride.

Researchers have argued that brand repair initiatives such as these are beneficial because they can turn passive consumers into active participants in the life of their products. Plus they can reduce replacement rates and increase consumer confidence in the brand’s support for sustainability.

Decorative stitching is often seen as a symbolic demonstration of sustainability values and resistance to disposable fast fashion. It’s also an expression of personal character and creativity. Visible repair demonstrates how repair is shifting from a cultural stigma that must be hidden to something that’s celebrated.

Funeral details for former Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe are still being finalised, as Buckfast Abbey confirmed it is working closely with her family on arrangements

Funeral arrangements for former Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe are still being finalised following her passing in July. Her death has become a matter of national significance, given her prominent political legacy and the harrowing circumstances surrounding it.

Westminster Magistrates’ Court was told last week that Widdecombe died after being struck 21 times on the head with a hammer. A provisional cause of death was recorded as a “blunt force injury to the head”, the court was informed.

Joshua Kerry, from Rotherham, was detained on suspicion of murder on July 11. He was subsequently re-arrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism, though no charge relating to this offence has been brought against him.

A provisional trial date has been set for June 8, 2027, reports Chronicle Live.

Widdecombe’s family has pressed ahead with funeral preparations, working closely with Buckfast Abbey, where she was a devoted regular worshipper. Fr Abbot and the Monastic Community of Buckfast have issued a statement confirming they “continue to hold Ann Widdecombe, her family and loved ones in our prayers during this difficult time”

Following her death, Buckfast Abbey, nestled on the edge of Dartmoor National Park, released a statement in which Fr Abbot and the Monastic Community expressed they were “deeply saddened to hear of the death of Ann Widdecombe in such tragic and disturbing circumstances”. Ann was a regular fixture at the Abbey Church, faithfully attending Sunday Solemn Mass alongside Holy Week and Easter celebrations.

The statement went on: “Many in our worshipping community knew her as a kind and warm character. She will be missed and fondly remembered.

“Ann was a woman of profound faith, a faith which found expression in the public forum of politics. Ann was unafraid to express her unwavering convictions, formed through her Roman Catholic faith.

“She had a sharp intellect and was a dedicated public servant. Fr Abbot and the Monastic Community extend their heartfelt condolences to her family and friends.”

In a communiqué released on Sunday, 26th July, Fr Abbot confirmed the church was liaising “closely with the family regarding funeral arrangements” and would share further details “in due course, when appropriate”.

Fr Abbot and the Monastic Community expressed that they were “grateful for the many messages of sympathy and support that have been received.”

Buckfast Abbey houses a community of Roman Catholic Benedictine monks who follow the ancient Rule of St Benedict. The location holds considerable historical significance, with the original abbey established in 1018 AD by King Cnut.

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There’s a LOT more lightning than I realised

Is it dangerous?

By BETHAN EDWARDS, SHOWBUSINESS REPORTER

Published: 10:11 BST, 27 July 2026 | Updated: 10:32 BST, 27 July 2026

BBC Radio 1 star Gemma Cairney revealed she has given birth to her second child as she shared sweet photos to Instagram on Sunday. 

The presenter, 41, and her partner Cameron McAllister – who first became parents in August 2024 – welcomed the newest addition to their family last week.

Gemma beamed as she cuddled her newborn – whose identity has not been publicly revealed – and a funny picture of Cameron dressed in scrubs in the hospital.

She wrote: ‘Had another baby this week with the most beautiful goober of a man that I ever was to meet after travelling the world to find him. LOVE YOU @cameronmac815 and this miracle family.

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‘*Posted from a sofa of in the haze of restful ecstasy and a multitude of painkillers* (sic)’

Gemma’s celebrity pals including Davina McCall, Fearne Cotton and Paloma Faith showed the couple with congratulatory messages.     

BBC Radio 1 star Gemma Cairney revealed she has given birth to her second child as she shared sweet photos to Instagram on Sunday

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Gemma beamed as she cuddled her newborn – whose identity has not been publicly revealed – and a funny picture of Cameron dressed in scrubs in the hospital

In April, Gemma announced she was pregnant with her second child by posting a sweet shot of the blossoming bump to her Instagram account.

Gemma’s photo showed her sunbathing with her blouse lifted to show off the bump, with the caption: ‘Together we sunbathe ‘n dream (sic)’.

The presenter announced she had welcomed her first child in August 2024 as she took to Instagram to share a snap of herself and Cameron cradling their new arrival.

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Captioning her sweet post, Gemma revealed that their baby was born two weeks ago before gushing that she’d ‘never felt love like this’.

She penned: ‘TWO WEEKS of the best madness, blessings, bliss, breathes, prayers, tears & momentous delirium.

‘I can’t offer enough thanks to our friends / kin, midwives, soothsayers, staunch support!’

She continued: ‘Never ever felt love like this. We are a fresh fam of 3, yipeeeeeeeee.’

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Gemma has been keeping her followers updated with her pregnancy in recent months on Instagram.

Two months prior, the glowing mother-to-be cradled her bump while posing in a glam black dress.

Speaking about her changing body, she wrote in the caption: ‘Our bodies are outstanding ya know, I’m rollin’ in awe of mine and yours.’

While in May, she shared a snap of her silhouette against a window as she looked down at her growing stomach.

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Geamma’s celebrity pals including Davina McCall, Fearne Cotton and Paloma Faith showed the couple with congratulatory messages

Gemma announced she is expecting her second child in April

Speaking about her changing body, she wrote in the caption: ‘Our bodies are outstanding ya know, I’m rollin’ in awe of mine and yours.’

She penned: ‘What an extraordinary time. Making, growing, connecting.’

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Gemma met partner Cameron in Malawi, where Cameron, who owns an independent coffee project, sources his beans from smallholder farmers.

Gemma kickstarted her career on Kiss FM and Channel 4 Radio before moving over to the BBC, going on to join Radio 1Xtra in 2008.

The broadcaster has also hosted Glastonbury over the years and even had her own weekday afternoon show back in 2011. 

The Birmingham-born presenter, who is now based in Scotland, has also hosted radio documentaries and also launched a successful production company 

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