Glasgow has lowest life expectancy for men and women in Scotland, figures reveal

That means that men born in the poorest parts of Scotland can expect to live almost 10 years less than the average English male, who has a life expectancy of 79.2 years - the highest of any country in the European Union.

The data from the National Records of Scotland also shows that the gap between life expectancy between Scotland and England has widened over the last three decades, and is now 0.4 years higher for both men and women than it was in 1980-82.

Women born in the most deprived areas of Scotland can also expect to have a shorter life than those in the wealthiest areas, with a gap of 8.5 years between the life expectancy in the poorest 10% of areas (76.3 years) and the most affluent 10% (84.8 years).

Overall, the average life expectancy for males in Scotland has risen by 3.4 years over the last decade, with boys born between 2011 and 2013 expected to reach 76.9 years of age.

The increase in life expectancy for females over this period has been smaller, up 2.1 years to stand at 80.9 years, according the statistics.

But women in England can expect to live 2.1 years longer than this, while Spain has the highest female life expectancy in Europe at 84.7 years - 3.8 years more than in Scotland.

Glasgow has the lowest life expectancy for both men and women in Scotland, with the latest figures putting it at 73 years for men and 78.5 years for women.

Neighbouring East Dunbartonshire is the local authority with the highest life expectancy for both sexes, with men expected to live to 80.5 years - 7.5 years more than in Scotland's largest city.

For women the difference is 5.4 years, with females in East Dunbartonshire having a life expectancy of 83.9 years.

Conservative health spokesman Jackson Carlaw said while the increase in life expectancy is "welcome", it will create "additional challenges for the NHS and local authorities".

The Tory added: "We need to face up to the fact we've got an ageing population, and that's going to put an incredible burden on health services and pension funds in years to come.

"There are also grim statistics in relation to health inequalities, with more than a decade's difference in some cases between how long someone can expect to live.

"That ties into almost every health statistic we see, whether it's in relation to cancer survival rates or vulnerability to alcohol dependence.

"This is another major challenge we face, and it's a case of driving the message home and ensuring the NHS is well-enough resourced to cope.

"But it's also a matter of personal responsibility - everyone knows a good diet and active lifestyle are key to living longer, no matter where you live. If that can be pressed home, we'll see an improvement in these inequalities, saving the NHS huge future strains in the process."

A Scottish Government spokesman said: "Overall, health in Scotland is improving, and people are living longer, healthier lives. Reducing the health gap between people in Scotland's most deprived and affluent communities is one of our greatest challenges.

"At its root this is an issue of income inequality - we need a shift in emphasis from dealing with the consequences to tackling the underlying causes, such as ending poverty, fair wages, supporting families and improving our physical and social environments.

"In the face of the UK Government's welfare cuts, we are working with all of our partners to tackle poverty and inequality and help those who want to work to get into work.

"Many people in Scotland are concerned about the welfare policies of the UK Government and the implications they could have on them and their families. And that is why we want the necessary powers to develop a Scottish system which provides support for those who need it.

"We are continuing to take decisive action to address alcohol consumption, reduce smoking rates, encourage active living, healthy eating, and promote positive mental health."