Clause 24
Commissioner for Older People (Wales) Bill [Lords]
5:00 pm
Cheryl Gillan (Shadow Secretary of State for Wales, Wales; Chesham and Amersham, Conservative)
The purpose of this simple amendment is to probe the Government’s arrival at the magic age of 60 as the definition of an older person. I know many people who are 60 and over who would perhaps resent being described as an older person. Indeed, if one is four, a seven-year-old is an older person. Some explanation behind the thinking here would be appreciated because during the enormous consultation process there was a variety of opinions as to the age at which these provisions should bite.
Some people were of the opinion that because the strategy for older people in Wales focuses on those who are 50 and over, it should perhaps be even as young as 50. Certainly it was suggested by some of the respondents that if older people were defined as 50-plus, it would at least give the commissioner some locus, prior to the 60th birthday, in an area where individuals of that age may need some help. Some argued that because health policy considers an older person to be aged 65 and over, that should have been the age.
Indeed, it was considered that if the age of retirement is to increase, as I believe it will, that should perhaps be the age at which the provisions kick in. It would be a moving age but it would be in line with the view that someone who is no longer in the world of work and who has retired is perhaps more in need of the services that are provided.
I have read most of the arguments that have been put forward and I am certainly not at odds with 60 being the age, but it would be interesting to know why the Minister arrived at that particular age, rather than taking a slightly more inappropriate younger age, or a more appropriate older age, as people are now living longer, showing great signs of activity and working sometimes well into their 70s and 80s.