Charities urge Scottish party leaders to back older people's minister

A dozen leading Scottish charities have published an open letter urging Scotland’s party leaders to support the inclusion of a named Minister for Older People in the next government at Holyrood.

Ahead of Thursday’s Scottish parliamentary election, charity leaders are calling for the reinstatement of the role after it was downgraded in 2023 and older people’s issues watered down into much broader ministerial portfolios.

In the letter, published today, the charities point to new national research from Age Scotland’s Big Survey that shows two-thirds of older voters in Scotland don’t believe that politicians and governments take enough action on the issues affecting them. The Big Survey also found that nearly 70% don’t believe older people are valued by society and that more than three quarters want to see a dedicated and named Minster of Older People role brought back.

Scotland has a rapidly ageing population with a quarter over the State Pension age, and 40% over the age of 50. Just 3% of over 50s feel it is easy for their voice to be heard by decision makers. This dissatisfaction among the older voters has increased measurably in the time since there was last a named Minister for Older People.

Addressing the party leaders, the charities say that whoever becomes the next First Minister or plays a part in government has a ‘tremendous opportunity’ to lead the way across the whole of the UK by appointing a dedicated minister to recognise the needs of older people and support Scotland’s older population.

Katherine Crawford, chief executive of Age Scotland, said:

“There is no doubt that the needs of older people have slipped well down the political agenda despite the serious challenges so many face and the growing size of this age group in Scotland. We have a rapidly ageing population but there is no plan on how to best support them. It’s not all about money, but a real focus and proper consideration of older people’s lives will pay dividends to society.

“As the election grows closer it’s hard to see how political parties will get to grips with the big issues older people make so clear that they need addressed.

“Public support for a minister for older people is incredibly high. This dedicated role could have a huge impact and should be part of the next Scottish Government.

Full list of signatories:

• Age Scotland
• Befriending Networks 
• British Geriatrics Society
• Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland
• Generations Working Together
• Independent Age
• Luminate
• Meeting Centres Scotland
• Outside the Box
• Parkinson’s UK
• Prof Alan Gow, wattAGE
• Scottish Care
• Scottish Older People’s Assembly

Open letter to Scotland's party leaders: