Introduction
"Thank you very much for inviting me here today to be part of this very worthwhile event.
"I am delighted to be the Regional Minister - working together in the East Midlands to ensure that all of us in the region benefit fully from the range of policies that are coming on stream.
"Want you to be assured that I am ready to listen to any concerns you have where you think I might be able to make a difference. I am launching a web diary on the Government Office website - we are just sorting out the technical details. I hope you will join in and let me know your concerns - and indeed any areas where you think we are doing well.
"And that leads me into today's event which is all about making a difference.
Demographics
"Let's start with some startling numbers.
"By the end of this year, we will have passed a demographic milestone - for the first time the number of pensioners in the UK is expected to outnumber that of children.
"The fastest growth in population will occur among those aged over 85. The number of those aged over 65 increases by almost a third by 2020, fuelled by the rest of the "baby boom" generation growing older.
"And by 2050 the changes will be even more dramatic. It's predicted there will be around 250,000 people aged over 100 - a massive rise on today's figure of 10,000.
"Population is set to age across all regions. Within regions there are marked disparities. In our region the 2 ends of the spectrum are Nottingham where people of pensionable age are set to increase by 14% by 2018, contrasted by 35% in East Lindsey. So everywhere will face challenges, but in some areas these will be more acute than others.
"This ageing trend is having an effect on the shape of families. There are fewer children in each generation, but the number of living generations is increasing. On paper, these structures would look long and thin - academics call them "beanpole families".
"For example, a 50-year-old woman looking forward to playing with a new grandchild may also still spend time with her 70-year-old mother and her 90-year-old grandmother. Including having caring responsibilities for her older relatives.
Challenges for Government
"The changing demographic presents a massive challenge for Government which has a duty to ensure older people enjoy healthy and fulfilling lives.
"As the number of older people grows, we need to explode the myth that ageing is a barrier to making a positive contribution to either the economy or society.
"Today's older generation have different expectations from their parents - they are more likely to have high expectations of public services. The post World War 2 generation are more individualistic than previous generations of older people. They have enjoyed almost continuous improvements in living standards and have experienced the benefits of the Welfare State all their lives. The changing expectations of this generation will put pressure on the public and private sectors to adapt. Indeed many people expect to continue a similar lifestyle in retirement to the one they enjoyed when they were working.
"Obviously, this has implications for retirement and pensions, but there are also knock-on effects for many other services, including healthcare, transport and housing.
"So with the number of older people increasing year on year, we have to ensure we have adequate resources and appropriate infrastructures to meet the growing demand.
"We have not been sitting on our hands. We are planning already to meet the challenge. I hope to demonstrate to you in this speech that Government is looking both at the strategies needed and the practical measures necessary to back those strategies up.
Ageing Strategy
"So we, the Government, published our Opportunity Age strategy for a successful ageing society in October 2005. Opportunity Age sets out how all parts of Government, central and local, are organising themselves more effectively to deliver a wide range of initiatives:
- to improve financial security and extend working life;
- to combat discrimination;
- to promote active ageing; and
- improve services to promote the wellbeing and independence of older people.
Public Service Agreement - Targets
"We are hardening our target setting. In October last year Government announced a clear aim to "Tackle poverty and promote greater independence and wellbeing in later life" by making this "Later Life" Public Service Agreement, or PSA. This was part of last year's comprehensive spending review which radically altered the way targets are set by Government. The new PSAs are cross-cutting, led by the major Whitehall spending department but with shared responsibility with other departments.
"This PSA, led by the Department for Work and Pensions with is assured major contributions from across Whitehall, including the Department of Health and the Department for Communities and Local Government. The PSA also complements others, for example, on healthcare and employment, that seek to ensure the specific needs of older people are given priority.
"The aim is to improve the lives of the older generation by working together and linking all the work currently being done to deliver more sensible, customer-friendly delivery.
"The Later Life PSA outlines further reforms that the Government will take forward, including a radical revamp of the pensions system as set out in the Pensions Act 2007. This includes the raising of the State Pension age and restoring the link with earnings. However, the demographic changes that I outlined earlier will result in some stark choices -
- people being poorer in retirement; or
- needing to save more; or
- working longer.
"Over 1 million people already work past the current retirement age and welcome the opportunity to continue in fulfilling jobs and careers. To ensure that older people continue to have satisfying work opportunities in later life we need to make sure that they have access to the training and skills that they need. This will mean engaging employers in providing incentives and opportunities for people who chose to continue working later in life. And the public sector needs to be geared up to work with employers to provide the updating of skills that people might need.
"But whether people chose to work longer, or whether they are in retirement, choice is the important issue. And choice needs to be based on sound, accessible information and advice. That principal applies throughout the range of agencies and organisations providing a service for older people - whether they are in the public or private sectors.
"But to exploit choice fully, we need to ensure that people are healthy in old age. Life expectancy has risen since 1981 by 6.1 years for men and nearly 4.5 years for women. But at the same time the amount of life in good health is not increasing.
"The fundamental principle of choice underpins the radical overhaul of Adult Social Care - summed up very concisely in its title "Putting People First". Demographic changes mean that we need to look at how care services are provided. We are making the shift to a personalised system that responds to people's needs and expectations. Over time, people who use social care services, and their families, will increasingly shape and commission their own care services.
"Personal budgets will mean that people can use their resource to purchase their own support services. Because one size, certainly doesn't, fit all. This will mean a new way of thinking for everyone engaged in the delivery and administration of services.
"Giving people - and if appropriate - their carers, access to a comprehensive information, advice and advocacy service - a "first shop stop" - accessible by phone, letter, e-mail, or at community locations, we will ensure services can be accessed even when provided by a range of different organisations.
Service Transformation
"We need delivery on the ground to be responsive and accessible. This is why the Cabinet Office recently published the Service Transformation Agreement. We want to benefit customers and improve the efficiency of Government - a real win/win. Our plans for the "Tell Us Once" initiative will reduce the number of contacts people have with government bodies - tell us once and you won't have to keep repeating the same information to a host of other organisations. The Service Transformation Agreement focuses on:
- learning from people about what works;
- making better use of information;
- grouping services in ways that are meaningful to the customer; and
- harnessing the understanding and enthusiasm of front line staff.
"Understanding how older people physically access services, and how that might be improved is crucial. The views of older people themselves are vital in shaping services, and I'm delighted to see that Better Government for Older People are here today. We need the input from people accessing the services to tell us how they can be improve. And we also need to hear from them whether services are really delivering what they want. Customer satisfaction surveys are fundamental in influencing service transformation and improvement.
LinkAge Plus
"We are piloting initiatives to put that transformation into effect. The LinkAge Plus pilot illustrates how Government is working to deliver this person centred approach.
"LinkAge Plus sees departments, agencies and voluntary and community organisations working together to provide access to a wide range of services.
"Each pilot focuses on local needs and how best to integrate services within those locations.
"The pilots are being run in eight areas - know that there will be the opportunity to hear more about LinkAge at workshops later in the day.
"Nottinghamshire are piloting the Notts 50plus initiative which provides a range of services for older people funded by LinkAge Plus. The First Contact Signposting scheme uses a simple form to identify a host of services including;
- affordable warmth
- accident and crime prevention
- housing repairs and adaptations, and
- transport and leisure.
"It is simple to use, and has been employed by a range of local partners who are already in contact with older people. And it has been a real success with older people benefiting from the service. In one case an initial visit from the Local Pension Service to a couple in Gedling resulted in
- Council Tax Benefit of £12.10 per week;
- two free smoke alarms with 10 year batteries,
- a home safety check from Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue;
- crime reduction advice with new locks and safety chains fitted free of charge throughout the home;
- grab rails and adaptations to the home .
"A seamless service that meets individual needs should be the norm - and we must work to ensure that.
"And on similar lines, the Government is also helping to fund innovative approaches via the Partnerships for Older People Projects. These too provide low-level support and care in the community, to improve the health, well-being and independence of older people. They aim to:
- prevent or delay the need for higher intensity and more costly care
- reduce avoidable, emergency admissions and/or bed days for older people, and
- support more people at home or in supported housing.
"And these projects recognise the importance of dignity and choice at the end of life. The DALE project in Leicestershire puts in place appropriate care and support services to allow people to die at home. Following a single call to the DALE service, immediate nursing and practical care can be provided to support the person and their carers at home. This is a personalised package with medical and care equipment delivered within hours and which allows friends and family to be involved in the direct care if that's what they want.
"So there is a real focus on making sure an individual services fit the individual needs.
"And we aren't ignoring crucial infrastructure either.
Lifetime Homes, Lifetime Neighbourhoods
"It won't surprise you to hear that most older people want to continue to live in their own homes for as long as possible. The "Lifetime Homes, Lifetime Neighbourhoods" National Strategy for Housing an Aging Society that was launched last month, recognised that. Besides the headline issue (picked up by the media), that we are looking for new homes to be built to Lifetime Home standards by 2013, with wider doors, level access, convenient sockets etc, it also highlights what we might think of as obvious - that a bit of help makes a big difference.
"Things like handyperson schemes that are operating successfully in various areas really can make an impact. Fitting hand rails, or carrying out basic maintenance jobs can make a difference between independent living or not. And so can adaptations such as installing stair lifts or walk in showers. This isn't rocket science but can have a major impact on the wellbeing of thousands of people.
"The new concessionary bus fares which will be introduced on 1 April will open up the opportunity for people aged 60+ to travel free of charge on all local buses in England at off peak times. We know that accessibility is a real issue for older people and the free travel should help to maintain social contacts, independence and wellbeing.
Third Sector
"As Minister with responsibility for the third sector, I wouldn't want to miss the opportunity to applaud the good work done by voluntary and community organisations in relation to the well being of older people. The Supporting People programme, created in 2003, helps over 840,000 older people a year with housing support services. A significant proportion of those services are delivered by the third sector, and they play a vital role in maintaining independent living for older people.
"Obviously this isn't just about services being delivered to older people. We shouldn't underestimate the significant role older people themselves play within voluntary and community groups. Many groups would struggle without the commitment and dedication older people contribute to different aspects of voluntary work. And not to forget the more neighbourly activity - visiting an immobile neighbour for example - which is the sort of glue that binds a community together.
"The evidence shows that social activity is good for health in old age, and volunteering, along with involvement in the local community allows older people the opportunities to continue to play a positive role in society.
Conclusions
"There are considerable challenges. But also huge opportunities. We have the opportunity to rethink the way we deliver services, with an individual's needs at the centre. We can make choice the key principle in the way services are delivered. We can transform the common perception of old age from a period of time when a person slips out of active economic and social activity to a time when people maintain the opportunities available to them in earlier life. When they can continue to play a full and active part in society.
"It might not be available to everyone today, but it is achievable. It is essential that we reframe the debate on old age so that ageing is seen as a time of activity and fulfilment, not isolation and loneliness.
"We need to ensure independence and dignity in retirement, and, crucially, we must involve older people themselves to deliver the strategy. It is clear that as people live longer and the shape of society changes, so the services we deliver have to change too.
"This is a challenge for everyone in Government. An Ageing Society has implications across all areas of public policy and services, and we must all rise to meet it, and I look forward to working with you to ensure the East Midlands meets the challenge."
