UN International Day of Older Persons 2025

Theme: Older Persons Driving Local and Global Action: Our Aspirations, Our Well-Being, and Our Rights

To mark the United Nations International Day of Older Persons 2025, the Scottish Pensioners’ Forum (SPF), alongside its members and affiliates, held its annual demonstration outside the Scottish Parliament ON 1st October 2025. . This year’s theme highlighted the vital role older people play in shaping fairer, more resilient communities.

The event served as a platform for older persons to advocate for their rights and share their lived experiences.

The SPF called on Ministers and MSPs to urgently address the impact of the cost of living crisis on older people and to oppose the UK Government’s latest review of the state pension, launched just three years after the previous one.

The Forum warned that this move risks deepening financial hardship and stress for older people across Scotland and the UK.

Grounded in the principles of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (MIPAA), the demonstration reaffirmed SPF’s commitment to promoting health equality, financial security, and human rights for older people.

Contributions came from Carol Mochan MSP. Katy Clark MSP, Tommy Campbell of Aberdeen and District TUC, Ian Wallace, Irvine Seniors Forum, Rose Jackson, SPF Vice Chair and representatives of the WASPI campaign.

After the demonstration, protestors headed to the Scottish Poetry Library where they spoke with Jeremy Balfour MSP. Convenor of the Cross Party Group on Older People, Age and Ageing on the many issues affecting older people.