Prescott: North-south gap improving

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Mr Prescott, Labour MP for Hull East and deputy prime minister for 10 years, said his baby granddaughter could expect to live three or four years more because she was born in the south rather than the north.

Appearing on BBC Breakfast with his wife Pauline to publicise their BBC Two documentary Prescott: The North South Divide, he said he was proud of his image as a "chippy" northerner.

"Why? Because I don't like the difference between the north and the south, whether it is health, education, whether it is in the wealth, whether it is in the poverty, that is still there, that is what we discover, obviously, it is still there," he said.

"But one interesting fact, namely, that it has improved, but the gap has remained, so it improved in the south, it improved in the north and there is still a gap. We have got a little granddaughter now, she was born in the south, she is going to live three of four years more, simply because she is born in the south than in the north."

In his BBC Breakfast interview, Mr Prescott said northerners hated being "picked on" and looked down upon by southerners.

Asked about their visit to Liverpool as part of the programme, Mr Prescott remarked on the effects of regeneration on the city.

Mrs Prescott added: "The city has changed, but the people haven't, they are still as warm and friendly as ever."

Mr Prescott admitted speaking a "lot faster" now than in the 1960s, referring to a television interview he gave in 1966 during the seamen's strike when you "spoke more slowly", he said.

"Since then, of course, I speak a lot faster to stop buggers getting in on me basically," he said.