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Call for the reinstatement of an older people’s minister for Scotland

The theme of this year’s conference is “Coming out of Covid – What’s Changed?” and the conference will examine how older people have been affected by lockdown and the changes taking place in society in its aftermath, particularly in terms of their health and wellbeing.

Rose Jackson, SPF Chair remarked:

“The past few years have had a serious detrimental impact on older people across Scotland, both in urban and rural areas, and the closure of so many essential services has meant social isolation and loneliness figures have gone through the roof. From the closure of community hubs, libraries and other communal social areas, the decline in community transport as well as access to health services, is it any wonder that so many older people have just about given up?”

“When we consider the many promises made and the acknowledgement that older people had been disproportionately impacted as a consequence of Covid in Scotland, we were dismayed that the First Minister took the decision that he did by not naming an Older People’s Minister as a matter of priority. Our opinion on this is in no way an attack on the huge portfolio being undertaken by the newly appointed Minister for Equalities, however by ignoring a named remit, the First Minister has just swept the inequalities older people have been facing under the carpet – it’s wrong on so many levels! By coming together today, we want to prove that we are not invisible and that our voices and rights can’t be neglected or ignored.

Notable speakers at the conference are:

• David Linden MP, SNP Westminster Spokesperson on Social Justice
• Mercedes Villalba MSP, North East Scotland