LABOUR’S FAILURE IN GLASGOW STARKLY SHOWN BY LIFE EXPECTANCY TABLES

LABOUR’S FAILURE IN GLASGOW STARKLY SHOWN BY LIFE EXPECTANCY TABLES,

TEN YEARS OF LABOUR FAILURE KEPT GLASGOW AT BOTTOM OF HEALTH LEAGUE,

Figures released this week by the Office of National Statistics have revealed that despite Labour running all levels of government in Glasgow for ten years, the life expectancy is the lowest of any local authority, not only in Scotland, but in the United Kingdom. Previous figures released by the General Register Office for Scotland last month already showed that Glasgow was 32 out of 32 of Scottish local authorities in terms of life expectancy. Between 1996-98 when Labour took power at UK level, and ten years later in the period 2006-08, Labour-run Glasgow has remained at the bottom of local authorities with life expectancy now only at 70.7 years at birth. The 2006-08 period was the year Labour lost control in Scotland for the first time in 50 years in the 2007 Scottish parliament elections. For the 10 years prior to that Labour was running all levels of government in Glasgow. Now UK figures released this week show that life expectancy in Glasgow is the lowest in the UK and shows that life expectancy is over thirteen years less than those in parts Kensington and Chelsea in London. Commenting on the release of the figures on life expectancy Sandra White MSP for Glasgow said: "These figures expose the failure of Labour in Glasgow and highlight why the SNP is right to show how Labour has failed Glasgow North East despite representing the area for 74 years. “Glasgow's health record is now something that we are starting to turn around, but decades of neglect have left a real job of work to be done. In particular these figures starkly show how Labour’s 10 years of government at all levels was a failure. “The SNP are taking action to tackle health inequalities - and all political parties must join in. "That is why the SNP is investing not only in a new hospital for the city, but in activities for our young people, new sports facilities and more police to make the city safer as well as healthier. “It is also why Glasgow’s local government funding remains the highest of any mainland local authority. “It indicates the level of hysteria in the Labour ranks when they try and attack the SNP Government. They know they have failed Glasgow for decades as these appalling statistics show. "We have a Labour-run council investing in the wrong priorities. As the Labour leader in Glasgow Steven Purcell should explain why his party was unable to lift Glasgow of this dreadful league table? "He should explain to the people of Glasgow why he has failed them and clearly set out what his administration will do to improve the lives of Glaswegians. "He must also explain why instead of focusing on delivering the best for Glasgow Steven Purcell is more intent on increasing the Council's cash reserves which now stand at more than £190 million and focusing solely on his future career ambitions."