'We need a minister for older people', Anchor Trust residents tell Ed Balls

Shadow chancellor Ed Balls met residents from an Anchor Trust home to discuss the need for a minister for older people.

Mr Balls, who is MP for Outwood and Morley, had afternoon tea with residents at Schofield Court in Leeds.

The home, which has 40 residents supported Anchor’s Grey Pride campaign last year, in collecting over 200 signatures towards a 137,000 strong petition, calling on the Government to install a dedicated minister for older people.

Mr Balls said: ‘Talking to residents at Schofield Court here in Morley they told me it’s really important there is a strong voice for older people. So whether it’s on issues like social care, the radical changes being proposed to our NHS or cuts in police numbers, I think older people deserve a strong voice to stand up for the issues that matter most to them.’

Labour have appointed a shadow minister for older people but Grey Pride and I are calling on the Government now to do the same.’

The Conservative-Liberal Democrat Coalition Government is currently considering the proposal.

Grey Pride is a campaign set up by the Anchor Trust to petition the British government to appoint a minister for older people.

Despite making up 40 per cent of the voting public, there is currently no minister dedicated to representing the views of older people.

‘We are not campaigning for the appointment of an older people’s spokesman, but a fully-fledged minister for older people, who would hold the government to account and ensure the needs of older people are understood and represented,’ said a spokesman for the Anchor Trust.

He added: ‘We believe that modern British society too often stereotypes and marginalises older people. We want to ensure that older people remain at the forefront of the British political agenda, and that the representation of older people in the media is updated to accurately reflect the active lives many lead.’

A number of celebrities including Angela Rippon, Tony Robinson, Richard Wilson and Tamzin Outhwaite are backing the Grey Pride campaign.

Angela Rippon said: ‘The collective experience and wisdom of Britain's older generation brings enormous value to our society, and it is high time that people of all ages appreciate the role over-60s can play in our workplaces, communities and families. I join Anchor in calling on our Government to create a dedicated Minister for Older People to give all people in their Golden Age a champion at the highest level.’

Tony Robinson, who has been a campaigner for the infirm elderly over the past ten years, said: ‘Today the elderly population is growing as budgets grow tighter. We need a robust voice at ministerial level to ensure that they can spend their last years in dignity, not distress.’

Ed Balls, shadow chancellor is pictured