However West Dunbartonshire falls within the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde health board area which still has the lowest male and female life expectancy in the country at 74.9 years for men and 80.0 years for women.

The number of people claiming Job Seeker’s Allowance (JSA) in the area has also fallen to its lowest figure for six years.

Last month, 2,286 people in West Dunbartonshire received the benefit — exactly 1,000 less than 12 months ago.

The statistics, released by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), revealed that the total had decreased to its lowest since August 2008, when 2,280 claimed JSA.

Meanwhile the number of 18 to 24-year-olds seeking the benefit fell by nearly 40 per cent, down to 520 from 855 in September last year.

Jenny Dee, district integrated operations manager at DWP, told the Reporter: “I think one of the reasons is that the labour market is generally becoming a bit more buoyant. There has also been a knock-on effect from the Commonwealth Games.

“Our Jobcentre Plus branches are in the process of becoming wi-fi enabled and this means it is much easier for people who are unemployed to come in and search for jobs. There was also a reduction in those aged 50 and over claiming JSA, down nearly 17 per cent from 565 to 470.

Ms Dee added: “It’s crucial that people know how to job-search. It can be easy to forget certain generation have been lost when it comes to going online.

“Coaches are on hand to help people register online with the relevant websites to give themselves the best possible chance of securing work, and can support people with developing their CVs.

“Often people are more skilled then they think they are; they just need to let others know about it.” The statistics for Scotland as a whole were also positive as unemployment fell by 40,000 during the quarter from June to August, bringing the figure to 151,000. The level was down 54,000 compared to the same quarter last year.

Alistair Carmichael, Scottish secretary, said: “We create more jobs and opportunities in Scotland when we work with all other parts of this United Kingdom. That is part of the reason that people in Scotland voted decisively last month to remain part of the UK.

“These latest figures are very good news. I want the UK and Scottish Governments to combine our efforts more than ever to build on this and build a better future for everyone in Scotland.” According to new figures 60 per cent of Scots will make cut backs to afford Christmas present as winter approaches.

Rising energy prices are a constant worry to some as research conducted by Radflek states that more than 80 per cent of us are concerned about bills going up, and 84 per cent of us will ration our heating as a result.