Labour Appointment Exposes Need for a Minister of Older People

There is an urgent need for a Minister for Older People to be appointed, due to demographic changes that reflect the rise in the numbers of older people. Ed Miliband has in fact appointed Labour's own Minister for Older People Liz Kendall, officially the first shadow minister for care and older people. This appointment is a landmark towards progress in recognising the part older people play in our society and focuses attention on older people's needs especially in housing and welfare.

More significantly, the new appointment exposes the glaring need within the coalition government to appoint a Minister for Older People. Although indeed pensions minister Steve Webb and care minister Paul Burstow are among others engaged in designing a public policy with reference to the older age group there is a need for decisions to be taken by one person responsible for this area.

There are a number of significant issues that affect older people. They are wide-ranging and include age discrimination, housing, care, planning, fuel poverty, pension reform and transport. By examining these issues as a whole a support package could be drawn up so that older people can be properly supported and make their valuable contributions to benefit everyone of all age groups.

It is important that the money available to finance such a project is used to its fullest advantage. Ms Kendall will show how these gaps in addressing older people's needs can result in money directed to where it is needed most.

Ms Kendall has the facility now she has been appointed to effect the changes that are needed. Indeed, there have been shadow ministers in the past without a governmental counterpart and these managed to draw attention to important issues. One example of this is back in 2009 when the Department dealing with higher education was scrapped in favour of a department for Innovation and Skills. However, in the conservative shadow cabinet at the time David Willetts remained as minister for universities and skills and became a thorn in Labour's side.

The new shadow minister is well placed to do the same as she has good experience and a strong history in campaigning. Older people and all who are concerned with them will be looking to Ms Kendall for the changes they need and feel confident she will be acting in their best interest. It is to be hoped that the coalition government will then realise that they need to appoint a Minister for Older People.

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