Responding to the report issued today by the Select Committee on Intergenerational Fairness and Provision, David Sinclair, Director of the International Longevity Centre – UK (ILC) said:

“As another Lords Committee highlights the failure of successive governments to respond to the policy challenges of ageing, it’s hard not to feel like we’ve been here before.

But the Committee are absolutely right that to be fit for an ageing society we need a public policy response that looks right across the life course.

The Committee are right to not mince their words. Younger people today are finding it difficult to get onto the housing market and policymakers have failed to address the lack of homes. 

Our approach to public policy at the moment risks pitching younger against older people and inadvertently and unhelpfully undermining the intergenerational contract. Today’s young are tomorrow’s older people.

We need a more fundamental review of how a modern welfare state can be adapted to our ageing society.

Investing in housing is an investment for all ages. We need homes that are affordable and that help people live well right across their lives – that means accessible and adaptable mainstream housing as well as retirement housing.

Investment in lifelong learning is an investment in UK PLC with productivity likely to benefit from ensuring both younger and older people have access to learning throughout their lives.

The National Insurance exemption for older workers seems an anachronism. And savings could be better invested in any number of other initiatives – including in addressing the gross underfunding of public health and social care.

Pensioner benefits are a matter of increasing political debate. While there is a strong case for universal pensioner benefits, it is also perfectly reasonable that these benefits should be taxed, so that those who can afford to pay do.”

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Contact 

For press queries, please contact Lily Parsey on 0207 340 0440 or lilyparsey@ilcuk.org.uk

David Sinclair 07543646992

About ILC

The ILC is the UK’s specialist think tank on the impact of longevity on society, and what happens next.

We believe society has to adapt now so we can all enjoy the benefits of longevity.

We want a society that works for everyone, regardless of their age.

We know the numbers. We know the challenges. What happens next will define us for generations.

www.ilcuk.org.uk