Inequalities in premature mortality between areas of Britain continued to rise steadily during the first decade of the 21st century. The last time on record that inequalities were almost as high was in the lead up to the economic crash of 1929 and the economic depression of the 1930s. The economic crash of 2008 might herald even greater inequalities in mortality between areas in Britain. 

Researchers from the universities of Sheffield and Bristol have built on previous research using updated population estimates and more accurate ways of measuring poverty. They found inequalities continued to rise steadily during the first decade of the 21st century, and could become worse.

Inequalities in premature mortality in Britain: observational study from 1921 to 2007