LIFE expectancy for men and women in Surrey is soaring, new official figures reveal. Men reaching the age of 65 can expect to live another 20 years, according to data released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) for 2012-14.

That is three years longer than males who reached that age just over a decade ago – between 2000 and 2002 life expectancy for a 65 year old in the county was 17.1 years.

During the same period, life expectancy for women after 65, rose from 20.2 to 22 years. Seven Surrey boroughs and districts are among the top 50 areas in England and Wales with the highest male life expectancy with four in the equivalent list for women.

Surrey County Council’s cabinet member for adult social care Mel Few  said: “The fact people are living longer in old age is something we should all celebrate. But while rising life expectancy is to be welcomed it can also come at a cost, which will have an impact for Surrey taxpayers and our budgets unless the financial strain of increasing demand for services is recognised by the Government.”