Plan launched to ‘age proof’ the region

A FRAMEWORK to abolish the retirement age and keep more over-50s in the workforce has been launched across the region today.

Everybody’s Future: A Framework for Ageing in the North West warns that, without drastic action to address the rapidly ageing population, the region faces labour and skills shortages and will struggle to maintain economic growth.  It adds that the region will also face huge disparities in health and wealth.

The framework was developed by 5050vision, the North West forum on ageing, in partnership with the Government Office North West; the Northwest Regional Development Agency, Age Concern and Help the Aged, as well as other public, voluntary and private sector organisations. 

Regional minister Beverley Hughes said: “Our ageing population, especially the growing number of people over 50 at a time of extraordinary economic challenge, makes it imperative that we have clear strategies in place to address the specific needs of older people.

“This framework makes an important contribution to how government and the wider public sector responds.”