Falkirk’s Older People’s Champion has challenged the Scottish Government to make clear its support for older people.
While the government claims they haven’t been forgotten, as a group they have been dropped from ministerial titles. Labour councillor Alf Kelly says this is not good enough.
Proposing a motion at the meeting of Falkirk Council on Wednesday, June 28, he criticised them for creating a Minister for Independence while dropping the post of Minister
“Clearly Independence is much more important to the government than older people in today’s Scotland,” he said.
“Nobody I know in Falkirk believes that we older citizens should be second to anything.”
He went on: “You may ask why it is important we have a named Minister for Older People.
“While we support their importance, we now have a named minister for the 25,000 migrants and refugees in Scotland but not for the two million plus older people over the age
Councillor Kelly pointed out that the unemployment rate among Falkirk’s over 50s was 42.9%.
He said: “This could mean that many, who, in a few years will be retiring, may have a reduced pension as they have not been working and may have had to use any savings they had, to see themselves through the period of unemployment, This will lead to more pensioner poverty in future years.”
He also spoke of the 14 per cent of over-55s who have a role caring for a family member or friend, in Falkirk around 7,500 people.
He said: “We need someone to plan now how we will look after these older carers who keep our NHS and Care sector from collapsing. They are that important
“Reinstating a named Minister for Older People will ensure that, as our population of over 50s, with the age related health problems that come with it, rises, we have someone to lead and stand up for older people in the Scottish government no matter what party
Councillor Kelly’s motion was passed unanimously.
Falkirk Older People Facts:
- There are almost 67,000 people over the age of 50 living in Falkirk, 41% of the population.
- Between 2001 and 2021 the number of over 65`s increased by 38.7%.
- Between 2018- 2028 the number of over 75`s in Falkirk will increase by 29%.
- Between 2018 and 2028 the number of over 65s is expected to increase by 20.2%.
Alf Kelly's Motion
Council notes that as a result of changes made by the First Minster to ministerial portfolios the role of Minister for Equalities and Older People has been replaced with a Minister for Equalities, Migrants and Refugees.
Whilst we fully support the importance of migrants and refugees, we should not be downgrading the importance of older people in our community by removing the role of a named minister.
Falkirk Council is disappointed older persons issue may receive less focus by this action at a time when our older population is growing and facing greater challenges than ever before.
Age Scotland, along with 15 partner organisations, has sent an open letter to the First Minister, calling for the reinstatement of a named Older Person’s Minister.
Falkirk Council agrees to support the Age Scotland campaign.
Further Falkirk Council instructs the Chief Executive Officer to write to the First Minister, on our behalf, to ask for the reinstatement of a named
Older Persons Minister.