Londoners' life expectancy has soared in two decades

Life expectancy has increased faster in London than any other part of the country over the past two decades, official new figures reveal today.

Babies born in the capital can now expect to live seven years longer than those born in the early 1990s, according to data from the Office for National Statistics.

Life expectancy for men in London has risen from 73.3 years in 1991 to 1993 to 80.3 years between 2012 and 2014.

For women the rise is from 79.3 years to 84.2.

Statisticians said one possible explanation for the surge in longevity in the capital could be migration of “healthy” young people from relatively deprived areas in search of work.

Another factor could be better than average improvements in treatment of some cancers and heart disease in London.

Life expectancy at aged 65 was highest in the country for men in Kensington & Chelsea at a further 21.6 years and highest for women in Camden with 24.6 years.