JOHN Swinney is being urged by charities to reinstate a minister for older people once he is sworn in as first minister.
More than 20 charities and groups including Age Scotland, Scottish Care and the Royal College of Physicians Edinburgh signed an open letter calling on Swinney to bring back a named minister for Scotland’s growing population of over-50s.
Nicola Sturgeon first created a dedicated minister for older people in 2018.
However, following Humza Yousaf’s election as first minister in March last year the portfolio was integrated into remit of the Minister for Equalities, Migration and Refugees.
Katherine Crawford, chief executive officer at Age Scotland, said reinstating a minister for older people would show the Scottish Government is taking the issues they face seriously.
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She said: “There are currently more than 1.8 million over-50s living in Scotland.
“Older people make up a substantial portion of the country’s population and the number is growing.
“But, astonishingly, there is no named minister for older people in the current Scottish Government.
“Now there is an opportunity to rectify that.
“We have written to Mr Swinney to strongly urge him to reinstate a named minister for older people.
“Not only will this deliver a clear signal to older people that the Scottish Government acknowledges the tremendous value they bring to the country, but it shows that the many and varied issues affecting older people are being taken seriously by those in power.”
“In fact it was a worrying move for people of all ages – Scotland’s population is ageing, and doing so faster than the rest of the UK.
"Having no named minister raises concerns for those who plan to spend their later life in Scotland, considering the ongoing challenges including pensioner poverty, low income, poor health, loneliness, discrimination, and social exclusion that affect so many.
“This is Mr Swinney’s chance to demonstrate a genuine commitment to improving the lives of almost two million over 50s. Reinstating a named minister for older people promotes equality and gives encouragement to older people that their lives are truly valued and supported.
“We all want to make Scotland the best place in the world to grow older. Having a minister for older people would be a significant step in the right direction."
The letter cites research conducted by Age Scotland last year which found that more than half of over-50s surveyed felt that life was getting worse, while just 13% felt valued by society.
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