An official survey has indicated that Britain's ageing population will raise a series of policy issues over coming decades.

The Social Trends report from the Office for National Statistics revealed that between 1961 and 2001 the number of people aged 65 and over rose by 51 per cent to 9.4 million, with the trend set to continue.

"The increase in the number of pensioners has policy implications, placing greater demands on health, social services and social security arrangements," said the ONS.

Forum Response: Age Concern

A spokesman for Age Concern told ePolitix.com: "In a recent Age Concern/ICM survey only 1 in 4 people of all ages said they had been saving and felt confident about their retirement income. Among younger people (18-24), 43 per cent had not even thought about saving or paying into a pension.

"The recent Green Paper on pensions highlights the government's aim to encourage more people to save, but we are disappointed that the paper does not indicate a target for how much people need to save to achieve an adequate income in retirement. If meaningful pension reform is to be achieved, the government must review the role of the basic state pension to ensure it remains the foundation of retirement income.

"These latest figures also highlight the urgency with which we must eradicate age discrimination, to enable older people to have greater choice about whether they want to continue working in later life and earn an income. It is essential that we break the age barrier."

Forum Response: National Association of Pension Funds

A spokesman for the NAPF told ePolitix.com: "The fact that more people are living longer is, of course, good news. But if tomorrow's pensioners are to have a comfortable income during their retirement, they must either save more during their working lives, or work for longer.

"It is for government, the pensions industry and others to promote saving for a secure income in retirement."

Forum Response: Counsel and Care

Martin Green, chief executive of Counsel and Care, told ePolitix.com: "The demographic trends have been well known for many years. Successive governments have failed to adapt their policies to enable older people to enjoy good quality retirements."

Forum Response: Help the Aged

Ben Harding, spokesman for Help the Aged, told ePolitix.com: "This report underlines the fact that the government's response to the crisis in pensions has been wholly inadequate. We are facing a situation in which poverty in retirement will become more, not less, commonplace, particularly among women.

"We would like to see simple and adequate state pension provision, combined with some sort of compulsion on employers and employees to contribute towards retirement income.

"In addition, the whole area of pensions should be removed from the short-termist arena of Westminster politics and placed under the control of an independent body able to plan for the long term.

"It is clear, also, that the role of older people in supporting society is growing. Older people are an invaluable asset to society as carers, whether of partners, parents or grandchildren, saving the taxpayer a colossal sum each year. This contribution should be recognised and rewarded."