Policy

Citizen engagement: Ministry of Justice discussion paper

The government has published a discussion paper which provides a framework for encouraging citizens – including older and disadvantaged people – to take a more active role in society and in the decision-making process. Recognising that the political system needs to become more responsive to the public, the paper outlines various mechanisms for engaging people (including referenda, citizens’ juries and petitions) and sets out criteria, such as accessibility and transparency, for these events. The government seeks views on its proposals by 1 October.

A national framework for greater citizen engagement. Discussion paper.
Tel: 020 7210 1727 (Ministry of Justice)

ELSA: social detachment in older age

Chapter 5 of the English Longitudinal Study on Ageing (ELSA) is on social detachment in older age (measured in terms of disadvantage in three of six indicators of social participation). It found that about half of older people are at risk of social detachment, and that 7% show signs of social detachment. It also found that quality of life consistently reduces with the duration of social detachment.

Living in the 21st century: older people in England. The 2006 English longitudinal study of ageing (Wave 3). Chapter 5: Investigating the dynamics of social detachment in older age.
Tel: 020 7291 4800 (Institute for Fiscal Studies)


Local government response to ageing: Audit Commission report

The Audit Commission has published the findings of a year-long study on local government action to promote older people’s wellbeing. The report found that a majority of councils were not well equipped to cope with an ageing population. For example, two-thirds of 47 councils surveyed by older people were unable to refer them to appropriate services and opportunities. Councils needed to improve the way they provided information in key areas, and widen their focus beyond people with social care needs. The Commission made a series of recommendations for improvement.

Don’t stop me now: preparing for an ageing population.
Tel: 0844 798 1212 (Audit Commission)


Local services for older people: parliamentary inquiry

The All Party Parliamentary Group on Local Government has conducted an inquiry into older people’s services. It found that services were in financial crisis and that urgent action was needed. Recommendations for improvement include:

• changing public perceptions about ageing; 
• national agreement on what constitutes quality of life in older age and how to achieve it locally; 
• moving money from treating illness to preventing it; 
• a process to merge health and social care commissioning; and 
• greater emphasis on resolving housing and transport issues.

Never too late for living. Inquiry into services for older people.

 

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