Older People’s Council supports need for an Older People’s Commissioner
The Older People's Council (OPC) for Brighton & Hove held this year’s annual AGM at the Friends Meeting House last Tuesday, 7 October, and welcomed Jo Clarke from Age Uk to speak on ageism and the case for an Older People’s Commissioner in Government to represent older people in England.
Currently, only Wales and Northern Ireland have such a key role in place to advocate for older people; provide policy oversight; ensure proper co-ordination between governmental departments in terms of older peoples’ needs; ensure proper public engagement in consultation with older people; and to hold the government to account in terms of commitments made.
It was noted during the following debate that by 2040, 1 in 4 people in the UK will be over 65. Therefore, it is essential that these people, many of whom currently feel invisible, have better representation when it comes to policy and decision making that will affect quality of lives and ensure that more older people are included in public life.
The need for such a role was well received within the group and further suggestions included the possibility of starting more locally to call for a Sussex Older People’s Commissioner as a first step, particularly in light of the incoming devolutionary plans for Sussex next year.
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