Ten years after our last conference at the Golden Lion Hotel, the Scottish Pensioners’ Forum returned to the Golden Lion Hotel in Stirling in June 2024 to host its 32nd Annual Conference.

The event marked a significant milestone, bringing together members, affiliates and stakeholders to address pressing issues affecting older people in Scotland.

The conference theme: “Who’s Really Paying the Price for our Care?” sparked a vital discussion around the cost and responsibility of care provision in Scotland.

Our distinguished guest speakers offered powerful insights and evidence-based perspectives:

Mary Alexander, Co-chair of the Fair Work Convention, spoke on the challenges facing care workers and the need for fair employment practices in the sector.

Beth Friel, representing Carers Trust Scotland, highlighted the emotional and financial toll on unpaid carers.

Ellie Wagstaff of Marie Curie Scotland addressed the gaps in palliative care and the impact on families.

Breda Seaman, from Dementia Friendly Dunblane, shared community-based approaches to supporting those living with dementia.

We were honoured to receive a Civic Welcome from Provost Elaine Watterson, who commended the Forum’s continued campaigns on older people’s rights, especially in the aftermath of the pandemic and its disproportionate impact on older people.

A conference motion called for support for the WASPI campaign.

In response to the March 2024 report by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO), which identified maladministration by the DWP in communicating state pension age changes to women born in the 1950s, the Unite Glasgow Retired Members tabled a motion calling for full support of the WASPI campaign.

The motion urged that compensation be awarded at Level 6 on the scale of injustice, rather than Level 4 as recommended by the PHSO.

Delegates unanimously passed the motion, reaffirming SPF’s commitment to justice and equity for affected women.