Labour launch older people’s manifesto and announce Commissioner for Older People

Labour are today publishing their older people’s manifesto, which will be championed by former BBC Countryfile presenter Miriam O’Reilly.

In the manifesto, the party say they will stop the culture that means social care visits only last 15 minutes and tackle the mis-selling of retirement income products.

They will also reaffirm their ‘triple lock’ on state pensions, and create a new post – the Independent Commissioner for Older People – to ensure that policy is fair for older people.

O’Reilly would take up this position if Labour were elected. She has explained why:

“Older people have a vital role to play in our society, yet I constantly hear from older people that they are frightened of the future and feeling vulnerable in a society which does not see their worth. After a lifetime of contributing to our country, they feel growing older has made them invisible.

“That’s why I would be delighted to take on this important role in a future Labour Government.

“Our older generation needs to be championed because otherwise we are in danger of missing out on a vast resource of talent, knowledge and experience.

“We have to put a balance back into our society where older people are as valued as our young, where those in their later years are not written off or seen as a burden and where the right help and support is there for people when they come to need it.”   ​