Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will meet with Ministers in the devolved administrations to discuss (a) geographical and (b) gender disparity in life expectancy in local authority areas of the UK.

Ministers are always willing to discuss matters of common concern with their colleagues in the devolved administrations.

We recognise that the causes of health inequalities are multi-faceted and highly complex. We take a comprehensive and strategic approach to reducing health inequalities that addresses the root social causes, promotes healthier lifestyles for all and improves the consistency of NHS services.