Inter-Ministerial Group for Older People (Hansard, 17 April 2000)

§ Mr. Rooker

The Inter-Ministerial Group for Older People, established in June 1998, has met eight times on the following dates:

2 July 1998
24 March 1999
14 July 1999
27 October 1999
7 December 1999
26 January 2000
8 March 2000
11 April 2000.

The Group's terms of reference are: to ensure that Government strategy and policy affecting older people is effectively co-ordinated, avoids duplication, and takes account of the needs of older people; to develop a better understanding of the lives and aspirations of older people and how they are affected by Government policy; and to co-ordinate the presentation and promotion of Government policy affecting older people.

The Group has considered a wide range of subjects including active aging, care issues, consultation and involvement, transport, volunteering and improving services for older people. A consultation document, "Building a Better Britain for Older People", was published in November 1998. The Group has also sponsored research into attitudes and aspirations of older people which was published last year¹.

The Group has consulted widely with organisations representing older people and has undertaken a significant programme of consultation with older people themselves. Members of the Group attended a series of listening to older people events across the UK during 1999, which provided older people with a further opportunity to discuss issues that are important to them. The programme will conclude with a National Listening Event on 17 May in London. This will build on and respond to the consultation that has taken place over the past year.

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This extensive programme of consultation has proved valuable in helping the Inter Ministerial Group plan its work programme.

The current membership of the Group is as follows: The Inter-Ministerial Group for Older People Right hon. Jeff Rooker MP (Chair): Minister of State, Department of Social Security Right hon. Paul Boateng MP: Minister of State, Home Office David Hanson MP: Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Welsh Office Keith Hill MP: Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions Margaret Hodge MP: Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Education and Employment Alan Howarth MP: Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Culture, Media and Sport George Howarth MP: Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Northern Ireland Office Dr. Kim Howells MP: Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry John Hutton MP: Minister of State, Department of Health Right hon. Baroness Jay of Paddington: Minister for Women Melanie Johnson MP: Economic Secretary, Her Majesty's Treasury Jane Kennedy MP: Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department Lewis Moonie MP: Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence Right hon. Ian McCartney MP: Minister of State, Cabinet Office Nick Raynsford MP: Minister of State, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions Brian Wilson MP: Minister of State, Scotland Office

The Welsh Assembly and the Scottish Executive also have responsibilities for policies that affect older people. The Inter-Ministerial group is therefore working closely with Jane Hutt and Iain Gray, both of whom have attended meetings.

Note:

1. Attitudes and Aspirations of Older People—a review of the literature by Annette Boaz, Carol Hayden and Miriam Bernard, was published on 18 October 1999 in the Department of Social Security's Research Report Series (Report No. 101, ISBN 1 84123 144 4).

Attitudes and Aspirations of Older People—a qualitative study by Carol Hayden, Annette Boaz and Francesca Taylor was published on 18 October 1999 in the Department of Social Security's Research Report Series (Report No. 102, ISBN 1 84123 158 4).