Accountants 'live longer'

Those with accountancy jobs live longer than people who work as cleaners and builders, according to new figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

In some cases the difference in life spans can be up to eight years, the study suggests.

Research from the ONS reveals that men in professional occupations, such as accountancy, can generally expect to live to 80 years old, in comparison to individuals in unskilled jobs, who live to 72.7 on average.

Karen Jochelson, a research fellow, said: "The nature of people's jobs [can have an effect on people's life spans]. If you have autonomy and control over what you do, you tend to be in better health.

"There is also evidence that shows people on low incomes have higher smoking rates and their diets tend to be worse because high fat, high sugar diets are cheaper."

This week, the ONS also suggested that there is likely to be an increase in the number of working adults in the UK over the next 25 years due to more immigrants heading to the country, as well as high birth-rates.