Life expectancy has continued to improve, according to data released by the Office for National Statistics.

The ONS has stated that, according to their research, a new-born baby boy in England can now expect to live to 79.5 years – an increase of 5.9 years over two decades.

This compares to Wales where expectancy is 78.5 years (increased by 5.3 years over two decades).

Meanwhile, new-born girls in England can expect to live to 83.2 years – an increase of 4.1 years over two decades – while in Wales the expectancy is 82.3 years – an increase of 3.5 years over the same period.

A 65-year-old man in England can expect to live to almost 84 years old (age 83 in Wales) and a 65-year-old woman in England can expect to live to age 86 (age 85 in Wales).

The ONS data also looked at location with male life expectancy at age 65 being longest for those in Kensington and Chelsea (21.6 years). Those living in Manchester had the shortest life expectancy at 15.9 years. Females at age 65 are expected to live longest in Camden (24.6 years). Again those living in Manchester had the shortest life expectancy at 18.8 years.

The ONS also found that inequality between the local areas with the highest and lowest new-born life expectancy has increased despite improvements over the last two decades.

And despite the increase in longevity expectations, mortality rates have been higher than expected over the last three years.