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Gender and Ageing Implications for Public Policy

Gender and Ageing Implications for Public Policy. Kate Jopling Senior Public Affairs Officer Help the Aged. Challenges in public policy. Demographic ageing is a key public policy challenge We have a new strategy for an ageing society – but what kind of society?

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Gender and Ageing Implications for Public Policy

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  1. Gender and Ageing Implications for Public Policy Kate Jopling Senior Public Affairs Officer Help the Aged

  2. Challenges in public policy • Demographic ageing is a key public policy challenge • We have a new strategy for an ageing society – but what kind of society? • Already an estimated 7500 women over the age of 100 and 5.5 million women over 65 • Women live longer – life expectancy at birth is 81.1 for women and 76.7 for men • By 2025 the gap is closing, but women still live longer

  3. Challenges in public policy • Differences in healthy life expectancy are less than differences in life expectancy overall – 69 for women and 66.6. for men • Women have longer periods of ill health in later life • Their health issues are different • Do our health and care policies recognise this? How are they tackling this?

  4. Challenges in public policy • The face of poverty in old age is female • 22% of single female pensioners are in the bottom income quintile after housing costs, compared to 14% single men • Women pensioners are more likely to be in receipt of benefits than men • Only 16% of women receive a full state pension in their own right • Only 22% of women have occupational or personal pensions compared to 39% of men • But do we acknowledge gender differences in our policy approaches?

  5. Challenges in public policy • Older women are more likely to be unemployed or economically inactive – 34% women 50+, compared to 28% of men • The Government wants us to work longer • But is it making work work for women?

  6. Challenges in public policy • Combating exclusion and isolation is a major public policy challenge • 7 out of 10 women over 85 live alone compared to 4 out of 10 men over 85 • But what about differences in modes of social contact? • How does policy respond to the different needs of men and women?

  7. Challenges in public policy • Is public policy designed to be ready? Probably not • But there is hope….

  8. Opportunities in public policy • New approaches in social care • The Public Health White Paper • New resolve on women’s pensions • An agenda for flexible working • The work of the Social Exclusion Unit And • The Commission for Equality and Human Rights

  9. Social Care – key questions • Women are the main users of social care services • Whose needs do they meet? - does the day centre model work better for women than for men? • What does this mean for commissioners? • How can individual budgets help overcome the problems?

  10. Public Health – key questions • The White Paper is all about enabling individuals to “choose health” • The Pennell Initiative for women’s health demonstrated the need for a gendered approach to choosing health in later life • But which gender is the prime concern – men who die younger or women who live longer in ill health? • How can we build an understanding of gender differences into the work to implement of the White Paper?

  11. Women and Pensions – key questions • A new resolve in Government to tackle the “national scandal” of women’s pensions • But women are already benefiting most from the flagship policy Pension Credit • Does this mean means testing is OK for women longer term? If so – what about men? • Should we be crediting women for non-financial contributions or providing a universal basic income? • Are the solutions gender specific or universal?

  12. Extending working lives – key questions? • The Government wants us to work longer • It’s creating pensions incentives, tackling age discrimination and considering flexible working for carers • It’s also reforming incapacity benefit • But is the workplace ready for more part time, older, female workers?

  13. Social Exclusion – key questions • The Social Exclusion Unit is looking at how we tackle the broader issues of social isolation and being “cut off” from society. • But who is at most risk? – Older single women living alone, or the minority of men? • How do we ensure community based responses cater for these different needs?

  14. The role of the new CEHR • The new CEHR will draw together work across equality strands • Gender Equality and Age Equality strands will be brought together • A new focus on identifying issues and developing solutions • Recognising diversity and promoting equality. BUT • A very crowded agenda – so what is the first priority?

  15. Discussion • Who is being left behind by the lack of focus on gender differences? • How can we add an understanding of gender differences to the policy debate? • What are the priorities for the new CEHR?

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