Responding to the House of Lords Scientific Committee on Healthy Ageing report out today, David Sinclair, Director of the International Longevity Centre – UK (ILC), said:

“It feels like groundhog day with yet another Parliamentary report highlighting our failure to respond to ageing.”

“It has been clear for decades that the UK is failing to meet the challenges of ageing whilst also missing out on the opportunities of an older population.”

“It doesn’t have to be this way. As the Lords report highlights, the UK could lead the way. We are global leaders in health and technology. Government must drive and better support innovations if we are to deliver a longevity dividend.

“COVID-19 has highlighted the inequalities in ageing. Too many of us are ageing badly.”

“The Government’s aim to deliver five extra healthy years of life by 2035 is laudable and exciting but completely unachievable without major policy change. We need a major focus on preventative health not just nice policy words.”

“It’s time to wake up to ageing. Let’s hope when we wake up it isn’t to 6 more weeks of winter but instead to a concerted effort from Government to address the challenges raised by the committee.”

Notes

For press queries, please contact press@ilcuk.org.uk or +44 (0)208 638 0832. Spokespeople are available for interview.

The report and links to the evidence can be found here.