10:41 BST
A group charities are urging Scotland’s party
leaders to support the inclusion of a named Minister for Older People in the
next government at Holyrood.
The Scottish government removed the role in 2023 and older people’s issues were wrapped up inside much broader
ministerial portfolios.
The charities say the next first minister must recognise the needs of
older people and support Scotland’s older population.
Katherine Crawford, chief
executive of Age Scotland, says: ““There is no doubt that the
needs of older people have slipped well down the political agenda despite the
serious challenges so many face and the growing size of this age group in
Scotland.
“We have a rapidly ageing population but there is no plan on how to
best support them. It’s not all about money, but a real focus and proper
consideration of older people’s lives will pay dividends to society.”
The charities supporting the move are Age
Scotland, Befriending Networks, British
Geriatrics Society, Chest,
Heart and Stroke Scotland, Generations
Working Together, Independent
Age, Luminate, Meeting
Centres Scotland, Outside
the Box, Parkinson’s
UK, wattAGE, Scottish
Care and the Scottish Older People’s
Assembly