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
NEWS RELEASE