Age NI calls for strategic plan on ageing population

Age NI is calling for the NI Executive to commit to a strategic plan on ageing today as the Assembly debates a motion which would put plans in place for dealing with a rapidly ageing population.

The motion brought by Claire Sugden MLA, calls on the First Minister and deputy First Minister to embed ageing population planning in the final Programme for Government 2024-2027, to ensure longterm sustainability and resilience in public services. Today’s action in the Assembly is supported by Age NI and older people’s groups who stress that more people living longer is something to celebrate and older people make a valuable contribution to society. They also note that the challenges for an ageing society such as pressure on public services, a bigger pensions bill and a smaller proportion of people of working age, are manageable if governments plan in advance.

The proportion of the population aged 65+ is currently 1 in 6 and is predicted to grow sharply in the coming years to reach 1 in 5 by 2030 and 1 in 4 by 2040. This trend is expected to continue and by 2070 there will only be two people of working age for every pensioner.

Dr Kellie Turtle, Age NI Head of Policy & Engagement comments:

‘Age NI welcomes this debate today as we have been urging the Executive to take action on population ageing for a number of years. Our recent campaign with the Commissioner for Older People, calling for a strategic priority in the Programme for Government, highlights that the Executive needs to act urgently. The fact that more people are living longer is fantastic, but the inevitable pressures this places on public services and the changes to our economy, means the Executive needs to plan and respond now to the opportunities and challenges arising from our ageing population. Having worked with Claire Sugden MLA as the Chair of the All Party Group on Ageing and Older People, we are grateful for her leadership on this issue.’

Claire Sugden MLA says:

‘‘I am delighted to bring forward a motion calling attention to the fact that Northern Ireland has a rapidly ageing population, and we must act now to create a strategic plan that ensures we can continue delivering high quality services for everyone. I have long been an advocate for older people and believe we must do more to recognise their needs and the invaluable role they play in our communities. In recent years we have seen the immense pressure our public services have faced, without a clear forward-thinking approach, our services will become unsustainable, affecting not just older people, but the wider population as well. This motion calls for a cross-departmental strategy, embedded in the Programme for Government, to ensure that we have the resources and the infrastructure to meet the needs of an ageing society, while securing long-term sustainability for all generations.’’

Margaret Galloway, UNISON Retired Workers Committee adds:

‘I am delighted to take this opportunity on behalf the NIC-ICTU Retired Workers Committee to commend Caire Sugden MLA for bringing this motion to the Assembly. It is vitally important to older people who feel that they have been let down by not being prioritised in the draft Programme for Government. I would call on all MLAs to support the motion.’

Some of the pressures an Executive strategy could help with include:

• A plan for managing the increased demand on health services
• Having enough social care services available for older people
• Making sure there is enough suitable housing as more older people need public housing or support to adapt their homes
• Supporting people to stay in work longer as people over 50 will make up more of the workforce

Age NI is calling on MLAs from across all parties will vote in favour of taking action to make sure Northern Ireland can support ageing population now and into the future.