A report examined changes facing those aged over 50, including those affecting work, leisure, caring, volunteering and related activities. It challenged calls for raising retirement ages, arguing that paid employment is neither a feasible nor an attractive option for an increasing proportion of people moving into their fifties and beyond.
Source: Chris Phillipson, Transitions from Work to Retirement: Developing a new social contract, Policy Press, available from Marston Book Services (01235 465500)
Links: Summary
Date: 2002-Dec
A think-tank pamphlet argued that concerns over future demographic changes have been greatly exaggerated. It said that older people should be enabled to lead active and independent lives for longer, and that we need to stem and reverse actions taken by governments and other institutions (as a response to the fears about an ageing population) which are making things worse.
Source: The Challenge of Longer Life: Economic burden or social opportunity?, Catalyst, available from Central Books (020 8986 4854)
Links: Summary
Date: 2002-Dec
Researchers found that, from 1991 to 1999, the proportion of crime committed against those aged over 60 remained more or less constant (at 12-14 per cent); that older people's risk of suffering from a household or personal crime is much lower than for other age groups; but that older people nonetheless have similar levels of worry for most crime types to those of other age groups.
Source: Natalia Chivite-Matthews and Penelope Maggs, Crime, Policing and Justice: The Experience of Older People - Findings from the British Crime Survey, England and Wales, Statistical Bulletin 08/02, Home Office (020 7273 2084)
Links: Bulletin (pdf)
Date: 2002-Oct
A government consultation document considered the contribution of equality institutions to making equal opportunities a reality and to promoting equality and diversity across society; and set out a range of options for future structures for these institutions, including a single equality commission. A second consultation document outlined proposed changes in the law to implement European anti-discrimination directives relating to employment.
Source: Equality and Diversity: Making it Happen, Department of Trade and Industry (0870 150 2500) | Equality and Diversity: The Way Ahead, Department of Trade and Industry
Links: Making it Happen | Way Ahead (rtf) | Way Ahead: Summary (pdf) | Index to draft regulations | ODPM press release
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/3, Digest 123, paragraph 7.2
Date: 2002-Oct
A study examined the experiences of people in their fifties and sixties who have left paid work. Most were found to continue to contribute to society, through voluntary work, caring for family members, or helping friends and neighbours. The study identified the need for the abolition of compulsory retirement ages for those who want to continue working, a decent retirement income, and more proactive advice and information about social security benefits.
Source: Helen Barnes, Jane Parry and Jane Lakey, Forging a New Future: The experiences and expectations of people leaving paid work over 50, Policy Press for Joseph Rowntree Foundation, available from Marston Book Services (01235 465500)
Links: JRF Findings 022
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 30/4, Digest 120, paragraph 7.5
Date: 2002-Oct
The lives of many older people living in deprived areas of England's cities are blighted by poverty, crime and isolation, according to a new study.
Source: Thomas Scharf, Chris Phillipson, Paul Kingston and Allison Smith, Growing Older in Socially Deprived Areas, Help the Aged (020 7239 1946)
Links: Summary (pdf)
Date: 2002-Sep
Researchers found that a scheme to encourage volunteering by people over 50 has been a success.
Source: C. Rochester and R. Hutchison, A Review of the Home Office Older Volunteers Initiative, Research Study 248, Home Office (020 7273 2084)
Links: Report (pdf)
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 30/3, Digest 119 (paragraph 9.2)
Date: 2002-Jun
