Recommendations & Conclusions
4 items
1
Recommendation
3rd Report - The rights of older people
Not Addressed
There is clear evidence that ageist stereotyping, including portrayals of older people as frail, helpless or incompetent, or conversely as wealth- hoarding “boomers”, is highly prevalent across all media in the UK and that this is a significant contributory factor to the normalisation of ageist attitudes. Ageism causes harm both …
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There is clear evidence that ageist stereotyping, including portrayals of older people as frail, helpless or incompetent, or conversely as wealth- hoarding “boomers”, is highly prevalent across all media in the UK and that this is a significant contributory factor to the normalisation of ageist attitudes. Ageism causes harm both to older individuals, including when self-limiting stereotypes are internalised, and at societal level, pitting generations against each other and breeding unnecessary and unhelpful division. We believe there is a strong case for the advertising and broadcasting codes and guidance to be strengthened in relation to harm and offence arising from ageist stereotyping of all types. We welcome the Advertising Standards Authority’s (ASA) decision to launch a research project to consider the nature and extent of harm and offence caused by ageist depictions of older people in advertising with a view to strengthening its regulatory approach. The ASA should update us on progress, including a clear timeline for change, in response to this Report. We recommend Ofcom launch a similar review, and that both the ASA and Ofcom commit to introducing specific new rules and guidance to advertisers and broadcasters on avoiding harm and offence arising from ageist language and imagery. (Recommendation, Paragraph 36)
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Government response AI summary
The government repeats the committee's conclusion regarding ageist stereotyping in media and its negative impact.
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Government Equalities Office
5
Conclusion
3rd Report - The rights of older people
Not Addressed
Older age is not in itself a cause of digital exclusion but strongly correlates with some of the key measures, including lack of broadband at home and non-ownership of a smartphone. There is also a large number of “hidden” digitally excluded older people: those who appear to be online, having …
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Older age is not in itself a cause of digital exclusion but strongly correlates with some of the key measures, including lack of broadband at home and non-ownership of a smartphone. There is also a large number of “hidden” digitally excluded older people: those who appear to be online, having broadband at home and owning a smartphone, but who lack the requisite confidence and skills to complete digital tasks without support. There has been a huge proliferation of digital technology and adoption of digital by default services across society, including in local authority services, banking, and healthcare, driven in part by cost savings and budgets cuts and exacerbated by the response to the Covid-19 pandemic. In this context, it is a considerable failure of government that the Digital Inclusion Strategy has not been updated, nor progress tracked, for a decade. We welcome the Government’s intention to remedy this as a priority. (Conclusion, Paragraph 75) 48
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Government response AI summary
The government repeats the committee's conclusion regarding digital exclusion among older people.
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Government Equalities Office
9
Conclusion
3rd Report - The rights of older people
Not Addressed
Our growing ageing population presents a range of significant cross- departmental challenges and opportunities, and there is a huge breadth of issues facing an increasingly diverse older population. The lack of a strategy within Government on how to respond to these issues is concerning. (Conclusion, Paragraph 106)
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Our growing ageing population presents a range of significant cross- departmental challenges and opportunities, and there is a huge breadth of issues facing an increasingly diverse older population. The lack of a strategy within Government on how to respond to these issues is concerning. (Conclusion, Paragraph 106)
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Government response AI summary
The government repeats the committee's conclusion that our growing aging population presents significant cross-departmental challenges and opportunities and that the lack of strategy is concerning.
Read full response →
Government Equalities Office
10
Conclusion
3rd Report - The rights of older people
Not Addressed
Evidence to us and our predecessor Committee emphasised the importance of joined-up and strategic work to tackle ageist attitudes and discrimination across society, including in access to healthcare, local services, banking and transport. While there is a very strong prima facie case for the appointment of a UK cross-government minister …
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Evidence to us and our predecessor Committee emphasised the importance of joined-up and strategic work to tackle ageist attitudes and discrimination across society, including in access to healthcare, local services, banking and transport. While there is a very strong prima facie case for the appointment of a UK cross-government minister to take responsibility for developing and implementing policy and championing the rights of older people in these and wider areas, a more important first step is the development of a Government strategy for ageing and older people’s rights. Such a strategy could establish the case for, and guide, any new minister. (Conclusion, Paragraph 107)
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Government response AI summary
The government repeats the committee's conclusion that our growing aging population presents significant cross-departmental challenges and opportunities and that the lack of strategy is concerning.
Read full response →
Government Equalities Office