This document considers the implications for disability equality, gender equality and race equality of the proposals set out in this strategy. The strategy is being published for consultation and the equality impact assessment will be updated in the light of views put forward during the consultation process.
Chapter 2 of Building a Society for All Ages sets out the challenges and opportunities presented by the UK’s ageing population. It also illustrates the need to take real action now in order to achieve the culture change required to make the UK a true society for all ages. The strategy recognises that in order to meet this challenge all sectors of society need to be involved. Chapters 3 to 8 set out what is being done in the following areas:
The strategy sets out the first steps towards meeting this vision through a range of existing, new and enhanced proposals.
In developing the strategy we have undertaken an initial discussion period with a range of stakeholders and the public. In November 2008 we published a discussion document, Preparing for our ageing society. That discussion paper generated 106 written responses. We also held 12 consultation events which were attended by 586 delegates. We attempted, where possible, to ensure that a diverse range of local organisations were invited to attend these events. These included groups representing disabled people and members of ethnic minorities and other disadvantaged groups so that they had the opportunity to participate in the development of the strategy. For example, representatives of the following groups attended discussion events:
We have published a summary of findings from both the discussion events and written responses alongside this strategy and will distribute this widely.
The strategy is aimed at making changes which will mainly benefit people later in life, and therefore today’s older citizens will see the most immediate benefits. However, this does not mean that the sole beneficiaries of the strategy are those who are currently in later life. For example, changes made now to UK society and how it supports, involves and enables people in later life will bring benefits for people in many age groups, particularly those with caring responsibilities.
Other aspects of the strategy will have far-reaching positive impacts across all age groups in society. For example, increasing the opportunity for people in later life to stay in work will ensure that they can continue to apply their skills in productive ways which will benefit society as a whole by increasing independence and productivity, and reducing the financial burdens on younger generations. Encouraging people to plan better for later life, for example, in making decisions which will lead to greater financial and physical health, will benefit people across the age spectrum, even if the personal benefits are not immediate for the individuals concerned.
It will be important to monitor the impact of the measures set out in the strategy on different groups to assess their effectiveness and ensure that the needs of an increasingly diverse ageing population are being met. However, our initial assessment is that the strategy will ensure real benefits for all in society whilst identifying avoidable and unjustified negative effects.
The strategy is intended to address issues faced by society as the population ages. It has, therefore, focused on the needs of people in later life and as such a key element is aimed at promoting greater equality for people in later life. However, ageing is an issue for the entire population and as such we have held discussions with employers’ groups and people below retirement age. We have also worked closely with Department for Children, Schools and Families in developing intergenerational work as part of the strategy (see Chapter 4).
There is a clear relationship between age and the increasing prevalence of disability1. Any initiatives aimed at addressing the needs of people in later life with disabilities, for example, by ensuring greater access to support to live independently, and design and construction aimed at supporting an ageing society, for example, Lifetime Homes, Lifetime Neighbourhoods, will have a significant impact upon promoting greater equality for people of all ages who are disabled (see Chapter 8). The consultation involved groups representing disabled people, and many of the responses expressed a desire for better information and improved access to health and social care services, and support to live independently at home.
Due to differing life expectancy, older age groups display an increasing gender imbalance. For example, whilst at age 70 the numbers of men and women are broadly equal, there are almost three times as many women aged over 90 as there are men in that age group2. Women, due to historically lower earnings, different working patterns and caring responsibilities, are much more likely to have lower incomes in later life. Measures already taken to tackle pensioner poverty, encourage pension saving and to make it easier to qualify for a State Pension go some way towards addressing the particular issues faced by older women without any adverse affect on men. We believe that these are supplemented by the elements of the strategy aimed at empowering people to better plan for later life (Chapter 3), and ensuring that public services meet the needs of older people (Chapter 7).
For historic reasons largely related to the low rate of immigration before the 1950s, the older population is currently less ethnically diverse than the population as a whole. However, this will change over coming years. For example, in 2001, the proportion of the UK population aged over 65 who belonged to the black or minority ethnic population was 2.5 per cent. For the population aged between 50 and 64 the proportion was 4.2 per cent3. The strategy is underpinned by a range of initiatives which rely on local partnerships and local working. This, along with our commitment to involvement and consultation (Chapter 7), and the strength of the public sector duties, will help ensure that these elements of the strategy respond to the needs of different local communities, and are able to change over time as those communities change.
While developing the strategy and undertaking the equality impact assessment we have identified a number of issues relating to the increasing diversity of the older population. As well as the changes described above, patterns of religion and belief differ across the age groups and there are also a growing number of openly lesbian, gay and bisexual people in later life.
Activities, entitlements and support that are appropriate for one group, may not be of interest or relevant to others and we will need to take steps to ensure that appropriate and engaging opportunities are available and accessible to everyone in later life and improve our understanding of their current and future priorities. We intend to start this process through consultation on the questions asked in Building a Society for All Ages, and we will ensure that the future development and implementation of the strategy will also reflect the information we gather to help ensure that the strategy brings benefits for all groups.
We believe that an important element of the strategy is the continuing involvement of a diverse range of stakeholders in designing, developing, implementing and reviewing the strategy. We will hold further events to explore and test our proposals. We are committed to working closely with the devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, to ensure the effective implementation of all of our strategies in ways that promote greater equality, and are working with key stakeholders to identify ways in which we can engage further with minority groups and members of the public who do not normally take part in consultations, such as isolated people. We also plan to develop tools to help people run their own discussions and let us know what they think.
Many of the elements of the strategy have already undergone, or will have undertaken, separate equality impact assessments under the existing public sector equality duties.
Chapter 7 of the strategy includes our proposals for promoting and monitoring progress. As part of that we will ensure that the strategy and its implementation develop in ways that encompass and benefit all in society.
We will ensure that the strategy will continue to be developed and implemented in ways that identify and address negative impacts, promote and share best practice and continue to promote greater equality.
