THE “shameful” gap between richest and poorest must be tackled, say politicians, after figures revealed woman in West Dunbartonshire have the lowest life expectancy of any Scottish council.

Nationally, women born in 2016 will live nearly 81 years on average. Men will live almost 78 years.

The last available National Records of Scotland figures estimate West Dunbartonshire women will live nearly two years fewer than the Scotland average, while most men locally won’t see their 75th birthday.

Dumbarton MSP Jackie Baillie said it was “shameful” that a man in West Dunbartonshire can expect to live six years fewer than a man in East Dunbartonshire.

She said: “These figures confirm that life expectancy has improved across West Dunbartonshire over the last decade but we still have a huge challenge to close the gap between the richest and the poorest.

“The gap exists within our local communities too, with the council’s figures showing that men and women from most areas in Dumbarton and the Vale of Leven will outlive our neighbours in Clydebank.

“The only way to ensure that every Scot has an equal chance of a long and healthy life is to make tackling poverty and inequality our number one priority.”

Both Ms Baillie and West Dunbartonshire MP Martin-Docherty Hughes blamed the Conservative-run UK Government for its austerity policies.

However, they disagreed on the work of the Scottish Government to tackle poverty.

Mr Docherty-Hughes said: “The Scottish Government is doing amazing work in spite of Westminster and through my regular meetings with the council’s strategic director of regeneration, environment and growth.

“I know that the council is working hard in partnership with the Scottish Government and its agencies to improve the quality of and access to housing and grow the local economy, increasing the numbers of jobs for our citizens.

“As the largest single employer in the area, the council is a Scottish Living Wage employer, something I have also signed up to in my own office.”

Ms Baillie said: “The SNP came to power promising to end the postcode lottery of life expectancy in Scotland. After nine years it’s time for them to do more.

“Scottish Labour is calling for an immediate halt to cuts to local health services and council funding so we can invest in our local services and deliver the high-quality job opportunities that people in our communities need.”

Council leader Martin Rooney said: “There is no single solution to this complex issue but we are working in partnership with our colleagues in the NHS to reverse this trend. West Dunbartonshire Community Health and Care Partnership (HSCP) has a number of initiatives in place to encourage people to lead a healthier life and West Dunbartonshire Leisure is focused on encouraging everyone from our youngest residents through to our oldest to get active.”

A West Dunbartonshire Council spokesperson added: “HSCP is leading an ambitious programme of improvement across local adult and children’s services, which has already contributed to improved outcomes for local children and families.

“Its Strategic Plan reinforces the commitment to develop both effective and modern early years provision for children and young people; and seamless and integrated care for adults and older people.  “WDHSCP is committed to working together with our residents and partners to tackle the inequalities which exist within our communities and make a difference.”

Cllr Jonathan McColl, SNP shadow spokesperson for social work and health, said: “These are figures that take time to change. Measures taken today take a generation to prove their worth.

“The integration of health and social care across Scotland will pay dividends as they have enabled councils and health boards to provide proper person centred services, tailored to what individuals need without being restricted by who delivers what services under different remits.”