AGEIST GOVERNMENT CONDEMNED OVER TREATMENT OF OLDER PEOPLE, NEW RESEARCH FINDS

9 May 2008

Two thirds of GB adults of all ages (67 per cent) think the present Government is not taking older people seriously, according to new research launched today (9th May).  Figures from leading older people’s charity Help the Aged show that three-quarters (74 per cent) of older people themselves believe the Government isn’t responding to their needs. The Charity believes the Government’s inaction over age discrimination fuels this sense of rejection and is calling for legislation against rampant ageism as part of its ‘Just Equal Treatment’ campaign.

Ageism is rife in the UK and research shows people of all ages are concerned about the issue.  The equivalent of 35 million adults (74 per cent of survey respondents) think age discrimination should be outlawed completely.  Help the Aged is challenging the Government to listen to public opinion and put ageism on an equal footing with racism and sexism.  The Charity wants the forthcoming Equality Bill to include proposals for legislation against age discrimination in the provision of goods, facilities and services - including health and social care services.

The Help the Aged research also shows that:

• Three out of five adults (61 per cent) think the older people get, the worse they are treated by society;
• Three out of five adults (57 per cent) worry about how they will be treated when they turn 65.  People between the ages of 25 and 45 are the most likely age group to worry about how people will treat them at 65.

Kate Jopling, Head of Public Affairs for Help the Aged, says:

"Despite millions of older people being subjected to ageist attitudes and practices each day, the Government doesn’t seem to think age discrimination is a big deal.  While it deliberates over whether or not to introduce legislation, older people can be denied access to the marketplace, insurance and banking facilities - even medical treatment because they are deemed ‘too old’. In an increasingly ageing society, this is a moral outrage.

"The lack of legislation against age discrimination in our society makes a mockery of older people. To continue to ignore ageism is to accept it.  Harriet Harman and other Cabinet Ministers have the power to outlaw age discrimination. The public are overwhelmingly supportive of legislation – it remains to be seen whether the Government is listening."

As part of its ‘Just Equal Treatment’ campaign, Help the Aged is publishing Worth Fighting For: Ten Stories of Age Discrimination, a booklet of 10 hard-hitting, real-life examples of age discrimination. In their own words, older people describe how the health service, social care system and financial sector have failed them because of their age.  The Charity is also launching a viral email, encouraging members of the public to email Harriet Harman, Minister for Equalities, demanding an end to discrimination against older people.

In addition to new legislation against age discrimination being introduced in the Equality Bill, Help the Aged also wants the public sector equality duty extended to include age so older people’s needs are taken into account in public services.

For more information about the Help the Aged ‘Just Equal Treatment’ campaign please visit www.helptheaged.org.uk/justequaltreatment