I am broadly supportive of work undertaken by the UN in recent years to encourage governments to ensure that people everywhere can age with security and dignity. This includes establishing an Open-Ended Working Group on Ageing in 2010 which met every year for 14 years to consider the existing international framework of the human rights of older persons and identify possible gaps and how to address them. I understand that, under the previous Government, the UK engaged in the annual sessions of the Open-Ended Working Group on Ageing, supporting resolutions on the rights of older persons at the UN Human Rights Council and at the UN General Assembly. While the Working Group has recently ended its operations, I hope the current Labour Government will continue its predecessor's efforts as I recognise older people often face serious human rights issues in many parts of the world.
Under the previous Conservative Government, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office used a life course approach in its work, taking into consideration the diverse experiences, priorities and requirements of older people, many of whom have disabilities, impacting their autonomy, dignity and social participation. I want to see the current Government continue to take a life course approach, and will be following developments closely
Regarding the Labour Government’s policy choices at home towards older people, I am deeply concerned by the decision to press ahead with the Winter Fuel Allowance cut at the 2024 Autumn Budget. This policy, leaving almost ten million pensioners out in the cold, will have a huge impact on pensioners already in poverty. Many face the dreadful choice between heating and eating caused by the current Government.
I believe the choice made by the Government to cut the Winter Fuel Allowance was a cruel decision and demonstrates a clear neglect of our older people. The Labour Government has also increased National Insurance Contributions, pushing up the costs of providing social care for both local authorities and self-funders, which could have an impact on the services available.
Ministers have also postponed the introduction of new measures the last Government had planned to reform social care to support older people with their care needs and to provide certainty about how social care would be paid for.
Please be assured that my colleagues and I will continue to speak out for older people and pensioners, both at home and across the world, including keeping the Government’s role in discussions on this issue at the UN under scrutiny.
