Policy

The complete picture on public policy and older people

Tuesday 26th February‚ London W1

This prestigious conference brought together an impressive line up of expert speakers to share the latest policy information on ageing and older people in the UK today. 

Highlights included:

Ivan Lewis‚ Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Care Services who  took questions from older people at the conference. He reaffirmed the Government's commitment to publish a green paper and said that a major programme of public engagement would begin soon‚ leading up to its publication.

Mike O'Brien‚ Minister of State for Pensions Reform and Baroness Andrews‚ Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Communities and Local Government‚ outlined the detail of the government's Housing Strategy for an Ageing Population‚ launched on the Monday before the conference.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown recorded a short speech for the conference. He said that recognising the challenge of an ageing population was 'central to progress' and said that handypersons services‚ provided by organisations like Age Concern‚ justified the Government's commitment to spend over £30million on them over the next two years. 

Angela Rippon‚ conference Chair‚ interviewed Penny Thewlis‚ Deputy Chief Executive at Age Concern Oxfordshire and three older volunteers who conducted research for the Rural Grassroots Realities Research Project aimed at giving a voice to rurally based older people.

In addition delegates had the opportunity to tailor the conference to explore in detail the specific policy areas of their choice through discussion seminars led by policy professionals.  Feedback received from delegates following the conference has highlighted the value of the discussion seminars as they provided a welcome opportunity to discuss key ageing related issues and continue debates arising in the plenary sessions. 

Age Agenda 2008 report

We were pleased to provide all delegates with a free copy of the Age Agenda 2008 report‚ launched at the conference.  The fifth edition of this annual policy report provides an overview of public policy and older people.  It outlines significant policy developments and trends during 2007 and looks ahead to likely developments in 2008. Order your copy from our bookshop.

The Age Agenda Conference is an essential and valued conference for those working with and on behalf of older people.  We express our sincere thanks to all who supported the conference and to the speakers for their important contributions.  If you have any queries please contact the Communication Events Department.

Contact us:

Georgina Ewen
Telephone:
020 8765 7601
Email:
Events Department