Age Scotland calls on SNP leadership candidates to keep a minister for older people in their government
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Age Scotland has called on the three SNP leadership candidates to keep a minister for older people in their plans for the next Scottish Government.
Chief executive of Age Scotland, Mark O’Donnell, wrote to MSPs Kate Forbes, Humza Yousaf and Ash Regan – to highlight the challenges that many older people face.
He cited issues like poverty, poor health, loneliness and discrimination and to underline that a strong ministerial role for older people would be a vital feature of their administration.
In a letter to the candidates Mr O’Donnell said: “Only 21% of older people in Scotland feel valued by society and when asked in Age Scotland’s 2021 Big Survey of more than 3,500 over 50s, more than a third (36%) said that older people were made to feel a burden to society. I’m sure you will be taken aback by this.
“It is hugely important that older people have ministerial representation in the Scottish government to let older voters know that their concerns are being taken seriously. Since 2018 there has been a Minister for Older People and Equalities to help ensure that older people’s voices are heard to when it comes to drafting policy and legislation that affects their lives.
"We hope that the new leader of the SNP and First Minister of Scotland will maintain that vital role and work alongside organisations such as Age Scotland to support older people, celebrate the country’s older population and be part of our ambition to make Scotland the best country in the world to grow older.”
