SNP MSP joins calls to appoint Minister for Older People

A senior SNP politician has joined 20 major organisations calling for a dedicated Minister for Older People after more than half of over-50s do not feel supported.

Former government minister Kenny Gibson said party politicians were “surprised there was no longer a Scottish minister with older people in their job title under outgoing First Minister Humza Yousaf” and described the removal of the role as a “retrograde step.”

He is calling on John Swinney to overturn that decision when he takes up the role of new First Minister, and he has the backing of powerful organisations such as Age Scotland, Parkinson’s UK, Care Scotland and a swathe of top experts.

‘This change was a retrograde step’

Gibson said: “It felt that the focus on this important and rapidly growing part of our population could become lost in the expansive responsibilities of a Minister for Equalities, Refugees and Migration.

“And it’s clear from older people themselves that they feel this change was a retrograde step.

“Low income and pensioner poverty is a reality for almost half of older people, many of them Waspi (Women Against State Pension Inequality), and loneliness is an ever-greater threat to their health and wellbeing.

“The Sunday Post’s Big Braw Community campaign to end loneliness is an important one and deserves the strong support of the Scottish Government.

“As Scotland’s next First Minister, John Swinney has a great opportunity to bring back a named minister for older people when he forms his new government. It is possible that the number of ministers will fall, so ensuring older people have the most effective voice is vital.”

An ageing population

More than two million Scots are over 50 and, in a survey for Age Scotland, more than half felt life was getting worse. Just 8% felt valued by society.

Katherine Crawford, CEO of Age Scotland, said: “Until spring last year there was a minister with named and clear responsibility for addressing the needs and challenges facing Scotland’s growing older population.

“But, during the formation of First Minister Humza Yousaf’s government, to our deep disappointment, older people’s issues were subsumed into the expanded portfolio of Minister for Equalities, Migration and Refugees.

“Following the damaging downgrade of older people’s issues, we heard from many older people’s groups and individuals who felt extremely let down by the government.

“Scotland’s population is ageing and doing so faster than the rest of the UK. Having no named minister raises concerns for those who plan to spend their later life in Scotland, considering the ongoing challenges including pensioner poverty, low income, poor health, loneliness, discrimination, and social exclusion that affect so many.

“Our Age Scotland Big Survey uncovered statistics that were a depressing state of affairs for a country like Scotland, which likes to see itself as inclusive and welcoming to all.

“To the next leader of the country, this is the chance to demonstrate a genuine commitment to improving the lives of almost two million over-50s. The minister could focus on work across government to help improve access to health and social care for older people, which is so desperately needed, reduce poverty in later life, address ageism.

“And they could really get behind the campaign to tackle loneliness through Scotland’s Big Braw Community, which is a chronic challenge for people of all ages.

“We all want to make Scotland the best place in the world to grow older. Having a minister for older people would be a significant step in the right direction.”

The Scottish Government said: “The Equalities Minister has dedicated responsibility for older people in Scotland and is determined to ensure everyone can access the opportunities and services they need to live happy and healthy lives. The Older People’s Strategic Action Forum (Opsaf), chaired by the Equalities Minister, ensures the views of older people and those that support them are listened to and acted on.

“We are providing funding of over £2 million from our Equality and Human Rights Fund to support older people’s organisations to deliver work focused on tackling inequality, enabling older people to live independent and fulfilling lives.”