Summary
The International Longevity Centre (ILC) publication, entitled “The impact of demographic change on public services: submission by the International Longevity Centre – UK”, presents evidence for the House of Lords Committee on Public Service and Demographic Change. It tackles how an ageing population is likely to affect public services, and broader socio-political issues such as “intergenerational solidarity” and inequality.
This report recommends more investment in preventative health care for all age groups, and states that the cost of dementia will be an increasingly important burden on public spending.
The ILC-UK also proposes that society should become more “age neutral”, with older citizens being expected to remain in the labour market up to an older age, where possible, to promote skills retention and “minimise the fiscal burden on taxpayers”. Wealth inequality between generations may need to be addressed, to help preserve intergenerational solidarity.
Reference
The impact of demographic change on public services: submission by the International Longevity Centre – UK. London: The International Longevity Centre – UK (ILC-UK), October 2012.
