Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is being urged to appoint someone whose main job would be to stand up for older people in England. Several respected organisations, including Age UK and Independent Age, have written a public letter asking him to create a new role called the “Commissioner for Older People and Ageing.” They believe this position would help make sure older people’s voices are heard and their needs are properly considered when the government makes decisions.
This idea isn’t new Wales and Northern Ireland already have similar roles in place, and they’ve proven to be helpful. The Commissioner roles there have made it easier for government officials and the public to understand the challenges older people face. They’ve also helped improve the way governments plan policies that affect the elderly.
Caroline Abrahams from Age UK said these roles in Wales and Northern Ireland have made a real difference. They’ve helped the voices of older people reach those in power and improved the way governments support them. She said that with more people in England getting older, there’s a lot to gain by creating this role, and really nothing to lose.
Joanne Elson, who leads Independent Age, said many older people feel ignored or like their opinions don’t matter—especially after the recent cuts to winter fuel payments. She said that older people who are struggling financially need someone independent and powerful enough to speak up for them and push for real changes. She believes having a dedicated commissioner is essential in a country where the population is ageing fast. It’s not just about helping older people today—it’s about making sure life is better for everyone as they grow older.
Other organisations like the National Pensioners Convention and the Centre for Ageing Better also signed the letter. They said that government policies often don’t take older people into account properly. Creating this role would give the government a big chance to show that they truly care about older people and are ready to take real action to support them.
The letter also points out that our society is changing. Right now, there are around 11 million people in the UK aged 65 or older. By the year 2040, that number is expected to rise to 17 million—that’s one in every four people. With such a large ageing population, the government needs to plan carefully and work together across departments to make sure older people get the support they need, whether that’s through the NHS, social care, or financial support.
The idea is that one government department alone can’t handle all these challenges. A commissioner could help bring everything together and make sure the country is ready for the future. This wouldn’t just help older people—it would be good for the whole country by making our economy and public services stronger and more prepared for what’s ahead.
Conservative MP Caroline Nokes, who leads the Women and Equalities Committee, also supports the idea. She said the case for creating this role is overwhelming. Her committee had already recommended in February that England should copy the approach used in Wales. The government is expected to give its official response to that recommendation soon.
A government spokesperson responded by saying they do care about older people and recognise the problems they face, including being treated unfairly because of their age. They pointed out that the Equality Act 2010 already offers strong protections for older people in areas like jobs and services. The spokesperson also said the government is helping pensioners financially through its commitment to the “triple lock,” which could raise the State Pension by up to £1,900 during this term. They said they would respond to the committee’s report about older people’s rights in due time.
