MPs hear powerful case for a Commissioner for Older People in England as new report highlights urgency
- National Pensioners Convention
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
NPC joined fellow campaigners in Westminster to make a powerful case to MPs for a Commissioner for Older People and Ageing (COPA) in England.
The roundtable event, organised by the COPA campaign group — Age UK, Ageing Better, Independent Age, and NPC — featured compelling insights into the role of the Commissioners in Wales and Northern Ireland, as well as evidence from our COPA partners and older people themselves.
Research underscores case for statutory advocate for ageing population
Speakers highlighted the growing challenges faced by older people, including the cost-of-living crisis, inadequate transport, poor housing, and barriers to healthcare. All of which was backed by a new Ageing Better report which says a Commissioner is essential to ensure policymaking reflects the diverse needs of older people.
Opening the Westminster roundtable, host Emma Lewell MP said: “The call for a Commissioner for Older People in England is not a new one, but its urgency is becoming greater. With over 11 million over-65s in England, and that number likely to grow to 17 million by 2040, it doesn’t make sense that we don’t have a Commissioner for Older People and Ageing.
“We know that everything the general population is struggling with is felt more acutely by older people. We have also seen what happens when their voices are absent from debates in this place, through covid and decisions on the winter fuel allowance.
“The way to guarantee a better future for older people in England is through a commissioner. It has worked in Wales and Northern Ireland, and it can work here too.”
MPs who joined the session, including Poole MP Neil Duncan-Jordan and York Central MP Rachael Maskell voiced their support for the English Commissioner campaign.
Jan Shortt, NPC General Secretary commented: “We appreciate the growing support among MPs for a Commissioner for Older People in England – the evidence from all those who spoke at the roundtable was powerful. We hope this briefing will translate into tangible progress, ensuring older people’s voices are heard at the highest levels of government and that policy is shaped by those it affects most.”
The roundtable heard from Heléna Herklots, the Older People’s Commissioner for Wales from 2018 to 2024, who stressed the value of having a dedicated, and independent advocate. She spoke of the importance of the Welsh office’s ability to raise issues affecting individuals as well as the wider demographic. Siobhan Casey, Commissioner for Older People in Northern Ireland, discussed the need to provide a voice for older people, and outlined her office’s work and priorities for improving lives across the region. Both emphasised how the Commissioner role should be seen as an aide to government policymaking.
Roundtable chair, Carole Easton, Chief Executive of the Centre for Ageing Better said, “We need a Commissioner for Older People and Ageing in England because there’s a glaring gap in national policymaking. Decisions that affect older people are too often made in silos, without a joined-up or long-term view. For example, poor housing conditions are putting older people’s health at risk—but because the costs fall to health and social care, housing policy doesn’t address it. We need a Commissioner to champion older people’s needs across government and ensure we’re planning properly for our ageing population—now and for the future.”
Joanna Elson, Chief Executive of Independent Age, outlined the potential route to establishing a Commissioner in England, drawing on the lessons learnt from the devolved nations.
*Coinciding with the roundtable, the Centre for Ageing Better released its latest State of Ageing report, which draws on a wide range of national data and personal testimony. Key findings from the report include the importance of community as well as the significant barriers facing older people, including ageism, digital exclusion, and cuts to local amenities and services. https://ageing-better.org.uk/news/community-connection-and-inequality
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