Charity launches older people’s manifesto

An older people’s charity has today launched its own manifesto, which seeks pledges from all three political parties that the needs of the elderly will be met in their general election manifestos.

Counsel and Care has published VotingAge, an older people’s manifesto, following a consultation to identify the issues that affect older people’s lives.

The findings of the consultation were presented to politicians and delegates at all the 2008 party conferences.

Older people who attended the events and who responded to the VotingAge consultation “Green Paper” expressed their concerns around key issues such as poverty, age discrimination, a breakdown between the generations, and the lack of involvement and inclusion of older people.

The manifesto contains actions that participants in the consultation said would improve their lives, such as improving pensions by ring-fencing tax monies, allowing those receiving the State Pension to also receive Carer’s Allowance and appointing a minister or commissioner for older people.

Caroline Bernard, VotingAge project manager, said: “While older people’s care and support is rising to the top of the political agenda, it is less certain whether the wider concerns that affect the whole lives of older people will be addressed by the next Government.

“This manifesto – our ‘White Paper’ to Government – could not have been written without the enthusiasm and energy of the older people that attended the regional events and responded to the written consultation. These are their words, in their voices.

“We look forward to discussing these findings with all of the political parties, and to seeing the issues affecting older people today – and tomorrow – addressed in all three general election party manifestos.”

The manifesto also includes forewords from the leaders of all three main political parties.

In his foreword Prime Minister Gordon Brown said: “We need to do more across society so that everybody can make the most of the opportunities created by demographic change.

“Significant public service reforms are being introduced, including pensions reform, the extension of age discrimination legislation and increased provision of healthcare services that help people to maintain independence and well-being as they age.

“We are currently looking at how we can develop our policies further and will publish a renewed strategy for our ageing society later this year.

“To build a society for all ages, we all need to take our part. I commend this manifesto for helping to raise awareness of the issues we collectively face and for stimulating public debate.

Conservative leader David Cameron said: “Our aim is that people have dignity and security in old age. That means three things. First, we would increase the basic state pension in line with earnings, not prices, in order to stop the spread of the means test – an insult to dignity.

“Second, we want to see more older people allowed to realise their potential in the workplace. And third, we need to change completely the way we think about the services people receive with more personalisation in healthcare; health and social services working more closely together; and a better partnership between government and individuals on social care, including giving people more control over their care.”

Counsel and Care works with older people, their families and carers to get the best care and support. For more information or to download the manifesto visit www.counselandcare.org.uk/influence/campaigning/votingage.