Ashton-under-Lyne is among Greater Manchesterâs poorest areas and has seen widening social and health inequalities. Photograph: Christopher Thomond/The Guardian Ashton-under-Lyne is among Greater Manchesterâs poorest areas and has seen widening social and health inequalities. Photograph: Christopher Thomond/The Guardian Tue 29 Jun 2021 19.01 EDT Last modified on Tue 29 Jun 2021 19.02 EDT Boris Johnsonâs post-Covid levelling-up agenda will fail unless it addresses declining life expectancy and deteriorating social conditions in Englandâs poorest areas, a leading authority on public health has warned as he published figures showing the impact of the pandemic on Greater Manchester. Sir Michael Marmot revealed the coronavirus death rate in Greater Manchester was 25% higher than the England average during the year to March, leading to âjawdroppingâ falls in life expectancy and widening social and health inequalities across the region over the past year.