The Audit Commission has published a report entitled “Under Pressure” which looks at the way local authorities are preparing to adapt to an increasingly ageing population. The report reveals that most local authorities are failing to prepare services for an increased number of older users and the majority do not know the future financial impact that demographic change will bring. Given looming cuts in public spending, councils clearly need to do more to avoid serious problems in the future.
Monthly Archives: February 2010
Audit Commission says Councils not doing enough to prepare for ageing populations
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Baroness Greengross: Government should extend job guarantees to over 50′s
Baroness Greengross has written for ePolitix.com ahead of her question on the extension of the job guarantees available to young unemployed people to those aged over 50.
“Could do better” – the verdict on health inequalities in England
The Labour government came to power aiming to tackle health inequalities and committed itself in 2003 to reducing inequalities by 10% by 2010, (measured by infant mortality and life expectancy at birth). While overall life expectancy has increased, the health gap between the rich and the poor has actually increased according to “Fair Society, Healthy Lives”, a strategic review of health inequalities in England, published earlier this month.
Guest Blog: affording the unaffordable – the PM’s pledge on pick-and-mix care
Gordon Brown has this week pledged to introduce a personalised approach to social care. Dubbed the National Care Service, it could see 350,000[1] of the nation’s elderly gain greater control over how and where they are cared for. The scheme would allow the most frail or in-need to be looked after in their own homes for free. “Too good to be true”, I hear you cry. But what may seem an ambitious plan makes a lot of sense, both for the older population and the public purse.