'Pay GPs extra' to work in poor areas

The cross-party Public Accounts Committee (PAC) made the suggestion in a report criticising Labour for allowing inequalities to widen during its 13 years in power.

Accusing the previous government of failing to address GP shortages in key parts of the country, the MPs said: "The Department of Health (DoH) should identify, as a matter of urgency, what measures it can take to drive up the numbers of GPs in deprived areas, including using direct financial incentives to encourage GPs into areas of greatest health need."

Former Prime Minister Tony Blair pledged to put reducing life expectancy differences at the heart of his policy after winning the General Election in 1997.

One fifth of the country was identified as having deep deprivation, and local authorities were given extra money and help to improve health. A target was set to close the gap with the rest of the country by 10 per cent between 2000 and the end of 2010.

However, a baby boy born in those areas between 2006 and 2008 is now expected to live for 75.8 years and a girl for 80.4 years, whereas the average life expectancy of the population as a whole is 77.9 for boys and 82 for girls.

That means, although life expectancy as a whole has increased, the gap has widened by seven per cent for boys and 14 per cent for girls since 1995/7.

The Labour chair of the PAC, Margaret Hodge, said: "A central challenge for all governments is to reduce health inequalities between the affluent and the disadvantaged.

"The problem is complex but the fact that the gap continues to widen is of great concern, especially against a background of a general improvement in public health over the last decade."