By 2030, there will be almost 13 million people in later life - aged 65 or over. Later Life Ambitions aims to articulate the voices of these people in the build-up to the next election.
The campaign, devised by Connect Communications but spearheaded by the National Federation of Occupational Pensioners, the Civil Service Pensioners’ Alliance, and the National Association of Retired Police Officers Association, brings together the collective voices of over a quarter of a million pensioners and sets out a manifesto for the future that takes into account the aspirations of today’s and tomorrow’s pensioners.
Later Life Ambitions lays out a vision for the future. Decisions made in Westminster can make or break the quality of life for many older people across the country. Critically, Later Life Ambitions is relevant not only to pensioners, but to anyone in the UK who has an older person in their family. From fair pensions to safe and sustainable care services, and from accessible housing to regular bus services to promote independence, we know that these policies will require bold and forward-looking action from political leaders. To do nothing is not an option.
On 2nd September, over 150 people joined MPs, peers and older people in Parliament to celebrate the launch of the campaign. Hosted by the influential Chair of the Work and Pensions Select Committee, Dame Anne Begg MP, almost 50 MPs attended the event, and over 30 across the political spectrum signed up to the Later Life Ambitions pledge there and then. Dame Anne has also tabled an Early Day Motion to drum up support for the cause which is gaining signatories every day.
The Parliamentary launch is just the start of the campaign, and we will be continuing to push the messages behind the campaign to politicians, the media and the public ahead of the General Election in May 2015.
The campaign team very much hope that other organisations, and members of the public, will become involved in the campaign as it progresses over the coming months. We are delighted that McCarthy and Stone, and Square 7 Media have offered sponsorship to the campaign and we welcome further support which allows our messages to go further and wider.
Members of the public are being asked to sign up to the pledge via www.laterlifeambitions.co.uk and invited to share their experiences via our online survey. You can also follow our twitter feed for regular updates at @laterlives.
To find out more, please contact Laura Blake at Connect Communications or visit the website.