Positive Ageing In London

Protecting the interests of the elderly in London.

External Campaigns

BBC to consult NPC after over 75s free licence summit with new Director General Tim Davie

The BBC will meet with the National Pensioners Convention to better understand issues around a raft of concerns affecting the UK’s oldest and most vulnerable.
 
NPC will continue to brief the BBC on our views on the state pension, universal entitlements, the threshold for pension credit and diversity and inclusion.
 
The BBC has also agreed to discuss the impact of loneliness, isolation and increasing ageism with the NPC, the UK’s largest campaigning organisation run for and by older people.
 
The news follows an initial meeting between BBC Director General Tim Davie, BBC Director, Policy Clare Sumner, and NPC General Secretary Jan Shortt, who made a case for reinstatement of free TV licences for all over 75s, while outlining the financial hardships many currently face.
 
Jan Shortt commented, “The meeting with the BBC was robust on both sides – there are still approximately 1.4 million over 75s who have not paid their licence, because they are perhaps financially struggling to do so. However, we welcome the BBC’s willingness to continue a dialogue with us, particularly on the poverty, isolation and loneliness faced by so many older people.”
 

“The NPC has always believed the free TV licence is part of a wider package of universal entitlements and concessions for older people that should be the responsibility of the government and not the BBC.

As part of new campaign to save all concessions for older people – from the free bus pass to the heating allowance, as well as the need to raise the pension credit threshold – the NPC will now be writing to the government and all MP’s as a matter of urgency.

 
“In the meantime, we look forward to meeting with BBC on major issues of deep concern to both organisations.”

The downloadable press release is available on 

https://www.npcuk.org/post/bbc-to-consult-npc-after-over-75s-free-licence-summit-with-new-director-general-tim-davie

Now, more than ever - get your free flu jab.

This year with the double risk posed by both seasonal flu and Covid-19, it’s more important than ever for older Londoners to get the flu vaccine. We’ve launched our “Now, more than ever” campaign to encourage older Londoners to get their free flu jab to protect both themselves and those around them. We’re grateful to all the Age UKs in London who are helping us to spread the word by displaying posters and holding online information sessions. 

For London Challenge Poverty Week this week, we’ve been highlighting that in one of the richest cities in the world, one in four older Londoners live in poverty. It is the highest rate of pensioner poverty in England. The number of older Londoners needing out-of-work support such as Universal Credit has doubled in just seven months due to the pandemic and only one in three older workers made redundant found a new job within three months. 

The financial difficulties facing many older Londoners mean that the suspension of the Freedom Pass and over-60s oyster card has come at an especially bad time. Those with no choice about when they travel – including NHS workers and volunteers – are forced to pay a financial penalty, which is why we’re campaigning for this suspension to be lifted.

– Age UK

Decent Homes for Ageing Well?

DATE: 29th Sept 2020          TIME:  10.30am – 12.30pm

Free Webinar         REGISTER NOW    

                                  Just email:  events@northern-consortium.org.uk

Confinement to home during the pandemic has further highlighted the importance of having a decent place to live, but over 10 million people are in a home that puts their health at risk.

Find out more about the state of current homes and the action needed to tackle poor housing.

VIEW THE PROGRAMME BY CLICKING HERE    

The evidence is unequivocal – warm, safe and accessible homes are critical to health and wellbeing.

Older people disproportionately affected, particularly the over 75s [Home and Dry]. One of the major causes of death and injury amongst older people are falls in the home, whilst cold homes exacerbate a range of health problems including respiratory illnesses and increase the risk of  a stroke or heart attack.

The North of England has some of the greatest concentrations of poor housing, and local populations face significant health inequalities.

Concerted action to tackle poor housing is urgently needed.

Join this important webinar to find out more from specialists in housing, health, population ageing and regeneration, and forge new connections to link practice, evidence and policy.

“…the housing stock is a crucial national asset that underpins the health of the population, impacting on nearly all aspects of our lives. A lack of action to address disrepair will have far reaching consequences”.

tv license scrapped

Your voices might be what makes the difference, so please also make a complaint directly to the BBC by following the link below:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/contact/complaints/make-a-complaint/#/Complaint

Let’s keep this going, and persuade the BBC to change their mind!

NPC blames Government over BBC’S decision to end free TV licence for over 75’s

 NPC STATEMENT – 9TH July 2020

Jan Shortt, General Secretary of the National Pensioners’ Convention said: “The news that the free TV licence for over 75s is to end from 1st August is absolutely devastating for the millions of pensioners who rely on their television for information, entertainment and company.

The NPC lays the blame for this draconian measure squarely at the door of the government, who have kicked responsibility to the BBC for this universal entitlement for our oldest and most vulnerable, knowing most will struggle to find the money to keep their TVs switched on. 

Read their full statement by clicking here.

We agree with our age partner’s statement.

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