Support grows to create a Minister for Elderly
SUPPORT for the Daily Express’s campaign for the creation of a Minister for Older People is flooding in from MPs, charities and celebrities.
We are calling for a dedicated cabinet minister to look out for the needs of the elderly and represent them at the highest levels of Government.
Actress and Age UK patron Sylvia Syms, 84, is among the stars backing our campaign.
Sylvia, star of wartime drama Ice Cold In Alex, said: “The time for a Minister for Older People is long overdue.
“There’s 12 million of us over-65s in this country and without a single voice in Government. It’s not as if people suddenly get old and can’t think for themselves.
“But our views are routinely ignored. It’s time someone was in place to highlight our concerns – whether it be on the NHS, social care, pensions or crime.
“The social care system in this country is in crisis, with a massive knock-on effect on the NHS. Carers flit between appointments with barely enough time to say hello, let alone have a decent conversation.
“No one seems to be championing the cause of social care. That’s why I think we need elderly.”
The Daily Express launched its campaign for the creation of the Government post on Wednesday.
It was enthusiastically backed by key charities Independent Age and Age UK as well as not-for-profit elderly housing specialist Anchor.
A raft of senior politicians also hailed our call for a dedicated minister to look out for the older generation.
Grant Shapps, Tory MP for Welwyn Hatfield, said: “We rightly have ministers for pubs, shops and equalities, so why shouldn’t there be a minister to champion the a minister for the rights of the elderly too? With more people living longer, healthier lives, it’s time to build on the respect for elderly agenda, which has already seen pensions rightly increase well above inflation.
“Now it’s time to introduce a minister for the elderly to ensure the Government is focussed on delivering for those who helped build modern Britain.”
Fellow Tory Robert Halfon, MP for Harlow, added: “This is really good and I welcome the move. It’s become easy to take pot shots at the elderly.
“I congratulate the Daily Express on this brilliant campaign.”