World Cup-winning footballer Sir Geoff Hurst, veteran radio DJ Tony Blackburn and former Strictly Come Dancing judge Dame Arlene Phillips, are among entertainment and sporting legends who have thrown their weight behind a campaign to appoint a Commissioner for Older People and Ageing in England.
Death in Paradise star Don Warrington and TV chef Rustie Lee have also come out in support of the campaign, aimed at ensuring pensioners’ voices are heard at the highest levels of government.
Older People’s Commissioners have existed in Northern Ireland and Wales for more than a decade, and charity Independent Age believes it is time a tsar is appointed to represent the rights of England’s 11 million over 65s.
More than 70 other organisations, including Age UK, the Centre for Ageing Better, and the National Pensioners’ Convention, are also backing the drive, with UK Parliament statistics revealing that one in four of England’s population – more than 17 million – will be over the age of 65 by 2043.
Independent Age, which is focused on supporting older people facing financial hardship, is also challenging the misconception that everyone in later life enjoys a comfortable retirement. More than two million older people are currently living in poverty, with many more struggling to make ends meet due to the cost-of-living crisis.
Sir Geoff Hurst – the first man to score a hat trick in a World Cup final and be on the winning team when England beat West Germany 4-2 at Wembley in 1966 – said he is supporting the call for a commissioner “because from what I’ve seen and heard over the last few months, the impact of the cost of living is absolutely disastrous for older people.”
The 81-year-old added: “I hear stories of people eating just one meal a day or not having the heating on in their homes. These things are happening every day and it’s absolutely unbelievably difficult for older people to survive under these circumstances.”
World Cup-winning footballer Sir Geoff Hurst. Credit Independent Age
Tony Blackburn, 80, who holds the record for being the longest serving radio DJ and hosts his Sunday Golden Hour on BBC Radio 2, said he is personally aware “that in this country there is ageism. I luckily haven’t come up against it, although I think sometimes it’s forgotten that older people bring experience.
“Recently with the cost-of-living crisis and the price of electricity in particular, I’ve been really moved by watching the news and seeing older people not being able to heat their houses.
“Older people sitting there with blankets around themselves. It really, really shouldn’t be like that in this country, there should be much more help. Something’s got to be done about it.”
Choreographer Dame Arlene Phillips, who has recently been honoured with an Olivier award, feels she is one of the lucky ones. Now 79, she said: “I am still working in a job that I’m passionate about and wake up every morning wanting to go to work, which I believe has gone a long way in helping me stay fit and healthy and inside feel younger than my chronological age.
“There are so many things that people need when they are ageing that are mostly ignored, and many feel nobody is listening. We urgently need someone dedicated who cares and will listen.”
She added: “A Commissioner for Older People and Ageing is urgently needed. Someone to look into all of the issues that getting older puts on people, particularly when the country is in crisis.”
Rustie Lee rose to fame in 1983 as a chef on TV-am. Now 73, she said: “It’s so important for everyone who is struggling at the moment to know that someone is looking out for them,” while Don Warrington, 71, who plays Commissioner Selwyn Patterson in the hit BBC drama, Death in Paradise, commented: “I think things creep up on you gradually as you age and that is the thing about ageing. Not fighting it necessarily, but also not surrendering to some idea of ageing.”
If created, a commissioner would work alongside the Older People’s Commissioners for Wales and Northern Ireland to encourage collaboration and joined-up thinking to deliver policy solutions that benefit everyone as they age.
They would make independent recommendations and have the power to launch inquiries to resolve issues for older people now and in the future.
They would represent and amplify different views on the problems that older people say they are struggling with.
John Palmer, Director of Policy and Communications at Independent Age. Credit: Leanne Benson
John Palmer, Director of Policy and Influencing at Independent Age, said: “We are incredibly grateful to Sir Geoff, Tony, Dame Arlene, Don and Rustie for supporting our call for a Commissioner for Older People and Ageing and shining a light on the issues older people in poverty are experiencing every day.
“It has never been more important for older people, who often tell us they feel invisible and like their views are ignored, to have an independent champion at the heart of government who can ensure that none of us are left out of the conversation as we age.”
Issues older people say they are struggling with include:
- Financial hardship
- The cost of living crisis
- Work
- Health and social care
- Digital, social and economic inclusion
Dr Carole Easton, Chief Executive at the Centre for Ageing Better, one of the organisations backing the call for a commissioner, said: “In 2021, 200,000 more people celebrated their 50th birthday than their 18th in the UK. In 20 years’ time, one in four people will be over 65.
“At present, we are not prepared for the complex social and policy challenges this demographic change will bring. As a result, the growing inequality in older age groups we are currently seeing will only get worse.
“To meet the needs of older people both now and in the future to ensure we can all be supported to age well, we need a much more ambitious and strategic response. We believe a Commissioner for Older People and Ageing will help deliver the long-term planning needed to reshape our economy and public services for the future and for the benefit of the whole country.”
Jan Shortt, General Secretary of the National Pensioners’ Convention, believes older people have the right to choice, dignity, respect, independence and security.
“All too often the value of our experience and knowledge gained throughout our lives is ignored. We are not seen to contribute to society because we are no longer working or viewed as productive.
“Yet tomorrow’s older people will be today’s young people – our children and grandchildren. That’s why we believe it is time for a serious change of perception and culture around the older generation.”
