Grey manifesto - Politicians urged to focus on over 50s

A new manifesto has been published ahead of the televised debates between the three main political parties to raise awareness of the most important issues to older voters, the majority of the electorate.

The majority of voters at the forthcoming general election are likely to be aged over 50, and the balance of power has slowly shifted between older and younger citizens.

Older citizens are also more likely to vote, with three times as many over 55s certain to vote than 18-to-24 year-olds and almost twice as many as 25-to-34 year-olds, according to a recent survey. Only a few months ago, the German Federal Elections were strongly affected by grey power. Political scientist Hans Rattinger commented: “No party can afford to conduct a campaign that fails to take into account the growing importance of pensioners.”

The new Saga Manifesto is a call to action to all three political parties ahead of the General Election to put a much greater emphasis on the needs of the over 50’s. The key issues are:

Fairer Finances

- Basic rate taxation of interest should be abolished as too many older people do not reclaim overpaid tax.
- A universal state pension of £130 per week at age 70 based on residency – to make savings pay and reduce complex means tested benefits.
- Maintain current benefits and allowances targeting older people (such as bus passes).

Abolish Ageism and Age Discrimination

- Ban on age discrimination in the health service.
- NICE guidelines to take into account benefits to society (including carers) of drugs that help the elderly – e.g. medication for Alzheimer’s.
- BBC Charter amendment to ensure a balanced portrayal of older people and presenters.

Support for carers

- The £6 billion gap in care funding to be plugged by bearing down on NHS administration.
- Investment allowing people to stay in their own home for longer.
- Better quality of care through better inspections and training for care workers.
- More practical support for family carers and more funding for respite care to preserve the health of carers.
- More research into the causes of dementia, which is the main driver of care needs.

Intelligent Retirement

- Immediately end the default compulsory retirement age.
- Allow a phased flexible approach – so retirement is staged and negotiated between employer/employee.
- Overcome age discrimination in employment of older people by freeing employers from paying national insurance when they take on older staff.
- Employment and other services for the elderly to be encouraged not outlawed.

Making Parliament reflect the population

- Political parties should collect and publish data on the age profile of their prospective candidates and MPs.
- There should be a better balance of people entering Parliament with more older people with experience of business and life in general.

Better and safer streets

- A genuine crackdown on binge drinking with staged closing of pubs, clubs and bars, and severe penalties for licensed premises that do nothing to discourage binge drinking.  
- More visible policing with, for example, the police walking the streets.
- A no-tolerance approach to anti-social behaviour.

Emma Soames, Editor at Large of Saga Magazine comments:

“Issues that concern the Saga generation are varied, such as meaty public policy issues like supporting family carers and making retirement more flexible. We want this to be more akin to taking a stroll down to the beach, rather than falling off a cliff.  Older people want to see a fairer and safer society for all.”

For more information or to download a copy of the manifesto visit saga.co.uk/manifesto.