Dame Joan Bakewell named ‘Voice of Older People’
09 November 2008
Minister for Women Harriet Harman today announced that Dame Joan
Bakewell has agreed to be a ‘Voice of Older People’.
Dame Joan will help raise the profile of age equality issues and
encourage public debate, particularly as the Equality Bill
progresses through Parliament and as work towards implementing a
ban on harmful age discrimination is taken forward.
The role is unique in Government, with Dame Joan acting as an
independent and informed advocate on issues which affect older
people’s lives. She will be invited to give her views on key policy
developments and the forthcoming legislation, as well as, for
example, speak at relevant Government events.
Dame Joan, aged 75, is a respected broadcaster and writer. She
regularly comments on age issues in her column in The
Times and has written numerous books, including The View
from Here: Life at Seventy.
Ms Harman said:
“Joan is a champion in the fight against discrimination against
older people and a role model for active and positive senior
citizens; so I’m delighted that she’s going to contribute to the
equalities agenda and be a voice for older people.”
Dame Joan said:
“I welcome the chance to speak up for older people: we are
increasing in numbers and need to be heard. With more and
more of us expecting to live longer, there are issues that concern
every individual: how will I provide for myself; how shall I afford
such necessities as heating, lighting and insurance; what will my
pension rights be; how much help can I expect from the
state?
“We all - not just the over 50s – need to confront such concerns
now so that we move to a reassuring future where people can look
forward to enjoying their old age in peace. I look forward to
being one of many voices making it widely known what it means to be
old, and how to make the most of those important years.”
In June, Ms Harman set out details of the Equality Bill, which
would ban harmful discrimination against older people. Beneficial
things, such as free bus passes for older people, would still be
allowed.
The ban will come into effect after further work, which is
already underway, to establish what would be banned and what would
remain permissible, and Dame Joan will be able to contribute to
this debate. Her independent thinking will be a valuable
contribution to the debates between older people, stakeholders, and
service providers, as further consultation takes place on the
details of the age discrimination ban.
The Bill will also put a new legal duty on public bodies to take
older people into consideration when planning services, such as not
providing parking tickets through complicated technology which
older people may be less able to use.
Dame Joan will be independent and free to express her views as a
Voice of Older People. She will not be a Government
spokesperson.
PLEASE NOTE: Dame Joan Bakewell stepped down from her role as
Voice of Older People on 16 April 2010 and therefore is no longer
able to accept correspondence within this capacity.
Media enquiries
Please contact the Government Equalities Office press office on
0207 276 0932
Notes for editors
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The Government Equalities Office is responsible for the
Government’s overall strategy, legislation and priorities on
equality issues. It was established in July 2007. The Office also
has direct responsibility for policy on gender equality, sexual
orientation, and for integrating work on race.
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Age discrimination is already banned in the workplace.