Observatory Home Economy Environment Planning Skills & Learning Public Health Culture Gloucestershire
Intelligence West Wilts & Swindon Somerset Dorset Devon Cornwall

PSA 17. Tackle poverty and promote greater independence and wellbeing in later life

Vision

In common with much of the world, the UK's population is ageing. In 1980 a man aged 65 could expect to live for another 13 years. Today that figure is nearly 20 years, and by 2050 it is expected to be around 24 years. This Public Service Agreement (PSA) focuses on the quality of later life in the UK, seeking to make the most of the opportunities offered by longer life, and driving forward the necessary cultural and behavioural changes.

In April 2005, the Government set out its strategy for older people and an ageing society in Opportunity Age - Meeting the challenges of ageing in the 21st century, including specific commitments for legislative change and innovation in service delivery. The task for the forthcoming Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) period is to build on the delivery of those commitments to ensure real and systematic improvements in outcomes at local and national level.

This PSA seeks to ensure that the specific needs of the older population are given due priority. It sets out the outcomes the Government seeks to achieve in the CSR period, providing a clear focus for planning and delivery by national and local service providers.

The PSA's target group is everyone over 50, around one third of the population, who have diverse needs and aspirations. However, five key aspects of independence and well-being have emerged from research and from discussion with older people themselves as being important across the board:

making a contribution to society, in particular through employment;
material well-being, in particular the need to continue tackling pensioner poverty;
the level of health experienced in later life;
satisfaction with home and neighbourhood including, for example, the impact of factors such as access to services, transport and crime, and social contacts; and
the ability to maintain independent living, while being supported with health and care services where needed.

Measurement

Five indicators will be used to measure progress on this PSA. These have been developed through consultation with older people, local authorities, Government departments and other stakeholders. Each of the five key aspects of independence and well-being set out above is reflected in an indicator:

Indicator 1 - The employment rate of those aged 50-69 and difference between this and the overall employment rate
Indicator 2 - The percentage of pensioners in low income
Indicator 3 - Healthy life expectancy at age 65
Indicator 4 - The proportion of people over 65 who are satisfied with their home and their neighbourhood
Indicator 5 - The extent to which people over 65 receive the support they need to live independently at home

Target by 2011

The indicator most directly linked to labour market issues is that of the employment rate of older people. The target is to see the employment rate of those aged 50-69 close the gap with the overall employment rate by at least 1 percentage point.