The news came in a report released by Scotland’s National Health Service (NHS) March 12. According to the study, the life expectancy of men born in Shettleston, Glasgow, declined more than four years over the decade to 64—one year less than the retirement age. On average, men in nearby Springburn can expect to live to 67, one year less than in 1991. Both Shettleston and Springburn are overwhelmingly working-class areas.

The drop stands out against the rise by three years in average male life expectancy in Scotland over the same period to more than 73. The gap between Shettleston and the North East Fife area, which at more than 77 has the highest life expectancy in Scotland and above average household income, has grown from eight to nearly 14 years.

Using the terminology of capitalist bureaucrats, the NHS report says that around 40 percent of adults in the two areas are “on state benefit, unemployed or lowest grade workers,” compared with less than 2 percent in North East Fife and 22 percent across Scotland. More than three-quarters of Scotland’s “most deprived” areas are in Glasgow, according to the Scottish Executive, with five of the ten worst in Shettleston and Springburn. Average pretax household income in Shettleston is £17,000, compared to the Scottish average of £26,000. In North East Fife it is £28,000 (£1=US$1.50).

Another recent report showed that the gap in healthy life expectancy in Scotland—that is, years with no life-limiting illness or disability—showed a still wider gap between the working class and other layers of society. According to the report by the government-supported Healthy Life Expectancy in Scotland Steering Group, the wealthiest one-fifth of the population can expect to enjoy 17.5 more years of healthy life than the worst-off fifth.

At 73 for men and 79 for women, life expectancy in Scotland is lower than in the United Kingdom as a whole, where the figures are 76 and 81 respectively. Scotland accounts for seven of the 10 areas with the lowest figure for men and six out of 10 for women. Glasgow’s average life expectancy is the lowest among cities across the country. Writing in the March 9 Scotsman, Gillian Bowditch denied any connection between living conditions and life expectancy. “If your idea of a balanced meal is not falling over after ten pints of special brew [strong beer] and a bag of chips [french fries], then you are not a victim of poverty or government policy. You are a victim of your own gross stupidity,” she fumed.

The article was typical of commentators in the big-business media who sought to shift blame from the actions of the bosses and their government onto working people for their allegedly unhealthy lifestyles.  
 
 
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