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18 Nov 2008 05:17 PM
Minister welcomes review of the Government's engagement with older people

DEPARTMENT FOR WORK AND PENSIONS News Release (DRC 110) issued by COI News Distribution Service. 18 November 2008

Minister for Pensions and Ageing Society Rosie Winterton has today welcomed the publication of a review of how the Government currently engages with older people.

John Elbourne, former Chief Executive for Prudential Assurance, was asked in May, by the former Pensions Minister Mike O'Brien, to examine whether older people are currently able to inform Government policy and actions at all levels.

Rosie Winterton said:

"I would like to thank John Elbourne for the considerable amount of work he has put into his review and for his final report.

"I want to ensure that everyone with an interest in this important area has an opportunity to provide thoughts and views on John's findings and recommendations. Therefore, I am asking people to send their comments to us over the next two months and I will consider all of them carefully before giving my response to the report."

The main recommendations of the review are:

* Establishing a national advisory forum for older people, to be chaired or co-chaired by the lead Minister for older people and supported by regional advisory forums

* Enhancing the role that regional Government Offices play in supporting and developing engagement with older people

* Setting up regional forums to support local authorities to develop effective engagement strategies so that a truly diverse range of older people's voices can be heard

* Building on the support for older people's forums around the UK, including the Older People's Advisory Groups

* The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) should fund Better Government for Older People, at current levels, until the end of March 2009

Comments on the review should be submitted to DWP by 9 January 2009 and the Government will respond by 30 January 2009.

Notes to Editors

1. A copy of John Elbourne's can be found at http://www.dwp.gov.uk/resourcecentre

2. Comments should be sent to Andrew Jennings, Department for Work and Pensions, Older People and Ageing Society Division, 3rd Floor, The Adelphi, 1-11 John Adam Street, London, WC2N 6HT or emailed to: andrew.jennings@dwp.gsi.gov.uk.

Media enquiries:

DWP Press Office: 0203 267 5144
Website: http://www.dwp.gov.uk

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