European Year of the Elderly (Hansard, 13 July 1992)

§ The Prime Minister

The Government are well advanced with plans for the European Year of the Elderly. The Department of Health, in co-operation with the Department of Social Security, has overall co-ordinating responsibility in the United Kingdom. Following wide consultations, a group has been set up to advise on the programme for the year. The group involves representatives of a wide range of organisations reflecting the interests of older people, including the National 429W Pensioners' Convention, and will take direct account of the views of older people themselves. The programme in the United Kingdom will focus on four major themes: combating "agism" and promoting positive images of aging; volunteering; health promotion and active leisure, including remaining mentally active; social integration, including problems of isolation and loneliness, information needs and housing, transport and community care issues.

Four task groups have been set up to put forward specific proposals, and to implement them once agreed, with particular reference to promoting better relations between the generations and multicultural aspects.

There will he a core programme involving high-profile national events and a general programme, including activities being organised by individual organisations, but not co-ordinated through the official structure.

The Departments of Health and of Social Security are providing funds for the costs of a secretariat, based at Age Concern England's headquarters, to co-ordinate the official programme and disseminate information. A total of £65,000 has already been committed in the current year.

The European year 1993 will be launched in the United Kingdom at the Age Resource awards presentation in London later this year.