Resolution: Commissioners for older people

This resolution passed.

The Office of National Statistics estimates older people (over 65) make up nearly 20% of the UK population. Every stage of our lives brings about unique issues, however, older people specifically face a multitude of complexities that often require specialist attention. This includes (but isn’t limited to) physical changes, understanding their place in society and managing long-term health conditions and end-of-life care.

In a YouGov poll commissioned by the Centre for Better Aging, only 19% of people said the Government is currently doing enough to support our ageing population.
Wales is proud of their Older People’s Commissioner whose remit is to protect and promote the rights of older people. Equally, so is Northern Ireland of the same role that provides an independent champion for older people. 

England and Scotland remain the two UK countries without a commissioner. There’s an argument that parity across the UK would mean better working across the four nations and therefore better service provision for all older people in the UK. 

Organisations including the Centre for Ageing Better and Independent Age are lobbying for an independent Older People’s Commissioner to champion the rights of older people to ensure policy makers consider the needs of the ageing population in England and Scotland. 

The National Pensioners Convention, to which the RCN is affiliated, is also campaigning for a Commissioner for Older People in England. The issue has support within the Houses of Parliament. Lord Foulkes, the Joint Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Ageing and Older People, tabled a parliamentary question about the appointment of a new commissioner in the House of Lords.

A Commissioner for Older People (Scotland) Bill was introduced to the Scottish Parliament as a Member’s Bill in 2006 but did not pass. More recently the Scottish Older People’s Assembly, together with Age Scotland, has concentrated on securing a named councillor to be an “oIder people’s champion” in every Scottish local authority area. 

Conservative MSP Jeremy Balfour has a live proposal before the Scottish Parliament for a Disability Commissioner (Scotland) Bill (also a Member’s Bill). If passed, it may have some indirect positive impact on older people, as may the existing Scottish Veterans Commissioner. 

This inequity must stop. Appointing an Older People’s Commissioner in every country of the UK is long overdue and the RCN should and must support this resolution.

Reading list for this debate available at rcn.libguides.com/congress2023.