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26 June 2008

Government Equality Bill - Help the Aged & Age Concern joint response

Government plans to make age discrimination illegal are a "massive step forward" according to two leading older people's charities. In a joint statement responding to the Government's Equality Bill announced today (26th June), Age Concern and Help the Aged are calling on Ministers to ensure equality for older people happens as soon as possible.

Welcoming the statement from Equalities Secretary Harriet Harman, Michael Lake, Director General of Help the Aged, said: "For a long time the Government would not accept that age discrimination was a problem. Now it has, and so the timetable for action is absolutely crucial.

"Older people have been waiting for far too long to be treated as equals - and they shouldn't have to wait for these rights any longer. Legislation must be enacted without delay so older people can be on a truly equal footing as soon as possible."

Age Concern's Director General, Gordon Lishman, said: "The government's decision to use the Equality Bill to outlaw age discrimination is fantastic news. It sends a clear signal that ageism should be taken as seriously as any other form of discrimination. This legislation will transform the lives of millions of older people by giving them the same opportunities to participate in society as everyone else.

"The Government must now move very quickly to set out the detail and provide a clear timetable for action. Gordon Brown has recently spoken of his vision of a Britain without prejudice - today's announcement will go a long way to achieving this."

"The Help the Aged 'Just Equal Treatment' campaign called on the Government to make age discrimination illegal and extend the public sector equality duty - which currently requires local authorities to promote equality between people of different race, gender and disability status - to include age so older people's needs are taken into account in public services.

Notes to Editors:

Help the Aged is the charity fighting to free disadvantaged older people in the UK and overseas from poverty, isolation, neglect and ageism. It campaigns to raise public awareness of the issues affecting older people and to bring about policy change. The Charity delivers a range of services: information and advice, home support and community living, including international development work. These are supported by its paid-for services and fundraising activities - which aim to increase funding in the future to respond to the growing unmet needs of disadvantaged older people. Help the Aged also funds vital research into the health issues and experiences of older people to improve the quality of later life.

Age Concern is the largest organisation in the UK working for older people. Everyday we are in touch with thousands of older people, enabling them to make more of life. Our services include information and advice, befriending, day centres, lunch clubs, transport services, homes visits and advocacy services. More information can be found on our website.