Forum Brief: Ageing population

Pollsters Phillip Gould and Stephan Shakespeare will on Tuesday join with Conservative spokesman David Willetts and pensions minister Malcolm Wicks at a Corporation of London and Age Concern event examining the politics of an ageing population.

Forum Response: Pfizer

A spokesman for Pfizer told ePolitix.com: "As part of a commitment to improving the quality of older lives in the UK, Pfizer is currently conducting research and working with advocacy groups to identify and examine issues linked to healthy ageing, and working to raise awareness of the positive aspects of the 'third age'.

"It is committed to creating healthcare partnerships that respond to the needs of an ageing population, and enabling people of all ages to age gracefully and productively. Pfizer also works with leading commentators in the field to broaden the debate on enhancing and expanding the role of older people within society.

"For more information please see the Pfizer microsite on the ePolitix Forum."

Forum Response: ESRC

Lesley Lilley, senior PR and parliamentary officer, told ePolitix.com: "The ESRC's Growing Older Programme held its end of programme conference in December 2003. The £3.5million research programme consisted of 24 projects focussing on how to extend the quality of life in old age.

"Two important publications emerged from the programme - the first 'Growing Older in the 21st Century' by Malcolm Dean, assistant editor at The Guardian. The second is the Growing Older Programme Research Summaries - findings from each of the projects.

"Both publications can be found on the programme website".

Forum Response: Age Concern

Gordon Lishman, director general of Age Concern, told ePolitix.com: "The findings presented by Stefan Shakespeare and Phillip Gould at the Politics of Ageing show that the over 50s are a truly diverse group.

"The message to politicians is that the sheer range of their values and aspirations make it is impossible to stereotype them - but beware.

"They all have one thing in common and that is they vote in higher numbers than other age groups and have a disproportionate influence in all types of elections.

"They will not hesitate to use the ballot box to pass judgement on what the political parties deliver to them.

"This means that it is imperative for politicians seeking election,or re-election, to take note of the baby boomers if they want their vote."