In response to Sir Charlie Mayfield’s comments on keeping Britain working, and in advance of the Chancellor’s Spring Statement, David Sinclair, Chief Executive at the International Longevity Centre UK (ILC), the UK’s leading authority on demographic change, said:

“Our economy needs all of us to be healthy. It’s the key to the Government’s growth agenda. But as we live longer lives, more of that time is spent in poor health. And it’s impacting us at all ages. Youth unemployment is driven by poor health, and so are early career exits. We absolutely can’t afford to fail to act on this. Since the pandemic, people work an average of six months less across their lives – and live an average of six months longer.

“I welcome Charlie Mayfield’s emphasis on prevention, early intervention and retention – and the importance of a joint approach. The need for more investment in prevention has been conclusively made. Now it’s time to translate the rhetoric into action. Potential returns are huge; for example, every £1 spent on life-course immunisation is estimated to save £19.

“The Government is focusing much of its investment and policy reform on ensuring the future is brighter for younger generations – understandable, especially given the disparity in wealth held by older people. But we need to look at all generations. Previously, we’ve advocated a ‘Kickstart’-type model for people in their 50s and 60s. As well as a Youth Guarantee, we should have one for those over 50 – and lifelong learning is more important than ever.

“Preventing ill-health will keep more people working and reduce the longer-term burden on the NHS, but we need a holistic and cross-departmental strategy for ageing, spearheaded by an inter-ministerial group focused on future generations that reports to the Cabinet.

“Without a bold plan for adapting to demographic change, our long lives will be a drag on economic growth rather than the economic opportunity they should be. Five-year election cycles might make long-term planning trickier, but there’s a danger that Ministers have strayed from their plan for mission-led government. If we are to reap the benefits of our longer lifetimes, then the Treasury must look beyond the next ballot box and invest in preparing for long lives.”

Ends