Our policy positions

Competitive markets should work for older people, offering a real choice of
goods and services that meet their needs and preferences.

The benefit and welfare systems should ensure an adequate income for people in retirement and for younger people who are unable to work for reasons such as disability or caring responsibilities. Benefits designed to
boost income for those in work should ensure that work pays.

Older consumers should have safe, convenient and affordable access to financial services. They should be able to expect appropriate protection and fair treatment.

All current and future pensioners should have enough money from state and private sources to live comfortably and participate fully in society.

All current and future pensioners should have sufficient income from state and private sources to live comfortably and participate in society.

All current and future pensioners should have enough money from state and
private sources to live comfortably and participate fully in society.

The abuse and neglect of older people remains a largely hidden issue, which leaves hundreds of thousands of older people experiencing, or at risk of, avoidable harm.

We must all be supported to live and age well, and this means addressing the causes of poor health and embedding a culture of prevention in public services and policy. Health and care services must fully recognise the impact of both physical and mental health in maintaining our wellbeing.

Carers must not be expected to sacrifice their health and quality of life. Society should recognise carers’ contribution, and ensure that they are supported to be able to live fulfilling lives whilst continuing in their caring role.

Every person with dementia should be supported to live well and to continue participating in society. They and their carers should have access to good quality care and support from diagnosis to the end of life, wherever they live and whatever their background.

Older people should have the support and opportunity to make and maintain meaningful connections so that they can enjoy life as much as possible for as long as possible.

Older people must have fair and equal access to the services, support and opportunity to maintain good mental wellbeing. Older people must have confidence that their mental health needs are fully recognised and supported and seen as equally important as their physical health needs.

Good nutrition and hydration benefits older people. Well-nourished people are more likely to remain healthy and independent for longer.

Care home residents must be able to maintain their personal identity and contact with family and community, and be protected against abuse, poor care and breaches of their consumer rights.

Older people should be able to choose well designed digital care and support which helps them better manage their independence, dignity and wellbeing.

Everyone has the right to expect services and support that help them to achieve a dignified and pain-free death, with choice in how they are cared for in their final months and days, regardless of where they live or their diagnosis.

Older people must be able to access health services that do not discriminate and that are equipped to provide safe, high quality care that's right for them.

Older prisoners should be held in establishments that meet their basic needs, receive the same basic level of health and social care as non-prisoners, and receive adequate support on release.

Older people must be able to expect full consideration of their individual care and support needs and access to services that will fully meet them.

The social care system must be reformed to guarantee high-quality support for everyone who needs it and sufficiently funded to enable current and future generations of older people to lead fulfilling lives.

Nobody should live in fear of crime. Police, local agencies, banks and other service providers must take action to prevent crimes targeted at older people and improve support for victims. The criminal justice system must be responsive to the needs of an ageing society.

Everyone should be able to live in a warm, energy efficient home, and the energy market should work in the interests of consumers.

New and existing homes need to be adaptable to the changing needs of an ageing population to promote both independence and self-determination.

No older person should find themselves homeless, either living in unsuitable temporary accommodation or sleeping rough on the streets.

Older tenants need housing that provides a permanent, warm, affordable and suitable place to live and one that they can call home, without the constant threat of eviction.

Older people should have access to a range of different retirement housing options that match their individual needs and aspirations.

Older people should be supported and encouraged to get online but those who cannot or do not want to do so should continue to be able to access services and support in a way suits them.

All older people who want to work must have the opportunity to do so. Someone’s age alone should play no part in judging whether they are capable to do any job.

Meaningful opportunities to learn for both work and pleasure should be available to people of all ages. Publicly and privately funded provision should be accessible to people regardless of their date of birth.

Wherever they live, older people should be able to reach key services, friends and family at reasonable cost, in reasonable time and with reasonable ease.

Wherever they live, older people should be able to reach key services, friends and family at reasonable cost, in reasonable time and with reasonable ease.

Everyone should have the opportunity to learn, join in, volunteer or work.

Everyone should live with dignity and respect. Older people are equal members of society and should not be subjected to ageist attitudes, stereotyping or conduct.

Government at all levels should take a strategic approach to building a society for all ages, where everyone is able to have a say in decisions that affect their lives.

Human rights standards provide vital protection for older people by helping to change practice and procedure, culture and attitudes, and offering redress when breaches of human rights have taken place.