Call for Older People’s Commissioner for Scotland

Age Scotland is calling on the next Scottish Government to establish the role of an Older People’s Commissioner for Scotland to promote and safeguard human rights.

The charity believes the treatment of older people during the Covid-19 pandemic has, more than ever, demonstrated the need for politicians to speak up for older people and establish a new, independent commissioner who works to protect and promote their human rights.

Age Scotland wants the next Scottish Government and Scottish Parliament to establish an Older People’s Commissioner for Scotland, through the Scottish Parliament, who will have the power to hold public bodies to account and tackle age discrimination and ageism across Scottish society. Similar to the positions in Wales and Northern Ireland, an Older People’s Commissioner for Scotland would be a direct link to government on behalf of older people.

The charity’s election manifesto also calls for the reform of social care, the establishment of a National Care Service and action on loneliness, energy-efficent homes and pensioner poverty.

Brian Sloan, Age Scotland’s chief executive, said: “The Covid-19 pandemic has had an unimaginable impact on all our lives and for older people it has been devastating. It has drawn into sharp focus the severe challenges older people have faced.”

He added: “There must be better support for older workers, creating age inclusive workplaces; and a national effort to tackle ageism head on. Scotland’s older population is growing at a faster rate than the rest of the UK. We want to see every political party in this election bring forward policies to help our older population, those in the greatest need above all, and for Scotland to be the best place in the world to grow older.”

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