The legislative agenda presented in the 2024 King's Speech by King Charles III is a comprehensive plan that supports our vision at Intergenerational England. By addressing economic stability, housing, employment rights, public services, environmental sustainability, and immigration, the government is taking steps to build a society that is fair, inclusive, and sustainable for all generations.
Intergenerational approaches are best placed to support a shift towards a more interconnected society. Intergenerational England is driven by a holistic approach that transcends sector boundaries and focuses on addressing the pressing priorities of society. Through collaboration across people, communities, and sectors, we seek to create a united front in tackling these challenges. By bringing together stakeholders, including government, public, voluntary, and private sectors, we can recognise and respond to the wider determinants of health and wellbeing, ensuring that the voices and needs of all age groups are represented and addressed.
New social, economic and health challenges are arising due to the global population demographic shift. For the first time ever, the population of individuals over 65 years will outnumber those under 15 in the WHO European Region in 2024. This shift in population demographic means new social, economic and health challenges[1].
In the UK, the birth rate has dropped to the lowest level for more than two decades, and people are living longer. On average, three years have been added to our lives over the same period. The average life expectancy in the UK in 2024 is 81, with women living around 83 years and men living for 79 years[2].
Housing
Housing remains a critical issue that affects all generations, compounded by both the cost-of-living crisis and the ageing population. The government's plan to address the housing crisis by increasing the supply of affordable homes is admirable. At Intergenerational England, we believe the proposed measures to streamline the planning process, invest in social housing, and support first-time buyers will help alleviate the housing shortage. However, it is essential to ensure that these policies are inclusive, catering to the needs of young families, single individuals, and the elderly.
Children across the UK currently have only a 5% chance of living near someone aged 65 or over. In addition, over the next 30 years, more people than ever will live on their own. Action needs to be taken now to bring those most at risk of loneliness and isolation together and create communities that represent and include people of all ages[3].
A diverse housing strategy that includes intergenerational living arrangements, innovative design that encourages intergenerational social connection and considers age inclusivity and life course support.
Employment
The King's Speech outlined plans to strengthen employment rights, including measures to tackle workplace discrimination and ensure fair wages. We at Intergenerational England strongly support these initiatives. It is important that employment policies are inclusive, providing equal opportunities for the young entering the job market and the older population seeking to continue their careers. Flexible working arrangements, lifelong learning opportunities, and support for caregivers are essential components of an inclusive employment strategy that benefits all generations.
Ageism has repeatedly been found to be the leading form of discrimination in the workplace, affecting job applicants and workers[4].
There are 169,000 more people over the age of 70 working than a decade ago. Over 300,000 more people aged 50 and over are economically inactive now than when the pandemic began. Valuing the skills and experience of older workers and introducing mentoring schemes to share skills is key to addressing the shortage of workers in UK firms[5].
Pensions
The King's Speech addresses the critical issue of pension reform, and Intergenerational England strongly supports efforts to ensure a secure and dignified retirement for all. The government's commitment to protecting and enhancing pension provisions is essential in maintaining the financial stability and well-being of our ageing population. By creating a robust pension system that reflects the diverse needs of our society, we can provide older generations with the financial security they deserve while promoting intergenerational equity. Intergenerational England is eager to collaborate with the government to develop and implement policies that ensure a stable and just pension system, benefiting current and future retirees alike.
Health and Social Care
The King's Speech rightly underscores the critical need for robust health and social care systems. At Intergenerational England, we are particularly heartened by the government's commitment to enhancing these services. Ensuring that the healthcare system is equipped to meet the diverse needs of our population is paramount. This includes expanding access to mental health services, improving preventative care, and addressing the chronic understaffing that hampers service delivery. Social care must be adequately funded and reformed to support not just the elderly but also caregivers, many of whom juggle employment with their caregiving responsibilities. We advocate for a holistic approach that integrates healthcare and social care services, promoting continuity of care and improving outcomes for all age groups. By investing in community-based health initiatives and fostering intergenerational support networks, we can build a more resilient and compassionate society. Intergenerational England is committed to collaborating with the government to ensure that these vital services are inclusive and accessible to everyone, from the youngest to the oldest members of our community.
Education
A Children’s Wellbeing Bill and a Skills England Bill were announced, putting children and their wellbeing at the centre of the education and children’s social care systems, and making changes to ensure children are safe, healthy, happy, and treated fairly. We welcome the aim of removing barriers to opportunity and to ensure that the school system is fair for every child, no matter their background.
Intergenerational England also applauds the measures that tackle the cost of living and child poverty, including free breakfast clubs and limiting the number of branded uniform items. As an example of thinking intergenerationally, the International Longevity Centre says:
“Some proposals in the King's Speech this week, such as free breakfast clubs in primary schools, will help reduce costs for UK parents, but more is needed. While not all grandparents will want to sign up to caring for their grandchildren, even if paid, and not all parents have the safety net of supportive, healthy parents of their own living close by. But providing it as an option would better reflect the reality of parenting in 2024 – and, perhaps, Sweden might give the new government some food for thought[6].”
Skills England Bill
Skills England will bring together businesses, providers, unions and other bodies to try to boost skills training and tackle skills shortages to support sustained economic growth. A Skills England Bill will work towards this, simplifying the skills system by transferring responsibilities from the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) to a new Skills England organisation, to make the skills sector more efficient. Intergenerational England sees this as a huge opportunity to value all ages, through skill sharing, mentorship, and including digital inclusion support for older adults.
Education
The King's Speech highlights the importance of a comprehensive education system, and Intergenerational England fully supports this vision. We commend the government's dedication to enhancing education at all levels, from early childhood to adult learning. For a truly inclusive society, education must cater to the needs of individuals across their entire lifespan. This means not only providing high-quality schooling for children and young people but also ensuring that adults have opportunities for lifelong learning and skills development. We advocate for policies that promote access to education for all, including initiatives that support retraining and upskilling for the older workforce. Additionally, intergenerational learning programs that encourage knowledge exchange between young and older learners can foster mutual understanding and cooperation. By investing in education that spans generations, we can build a more adaptable, skilled, and cohesive society. Intergenerational England looks forward to working with the government to implement these educational reforms, ensuring that everyone, regardless of age, has the opportunity to learn and grow.
Education policies should focus on lifelong learning, providing opportunities for individuals to reskill and upskill throughout their lives. Social care services should be adequately funded to support both the elderly and the caregivers, who often belong to the working-age population.
Conclusion
It is encouraging to see efforts directed towards building a more equitable society that serves people across all generations. The only way to shift the narrative and create lasting change is through intergenerational considerations and actions that directly impact various aspects of our lives, including healthcare outcomes, segregation, mental health, housing, work, and employment.
Intergenerational England advocates for three areas of focus:
Intergenerational Social Support Systems: Promoting human connectivity and social wellbeing, such as mentorship programmes to offer local support outside of health services.
Life Course Approach to Health and Wellbeing: Incorporating age and its nuances into population strategies, emphasising a continuum of care from childhood through old age.
Intergenerational Integrated Working Systems: Developing cross-sector partnerships in housing, transport, education, government and communities to create better outcomes.
The legislative agenda presented in the 2024 King's Speech by King Charles III is a commendable step in this direction. By addressing critical issues such as economic stability, housing, employment rights, public services, environmental sustainability, and immigration, the government is laying the groundwork for a fairer, more inclusive, and sustainable society for all. At Intergenerational England, we recognise the profound impact that intergenerational interactions can have on addressing societal challenges like ageism, social isolation, and limited cooperation between different age groups. These interactions offer invaluable opportunities for people from diverse backgrounds and generations to come together, share their experiences and knowledge, and contribute to their communities.
We are committed to supporting and contributing to the government's initiatives, ensuring that the voices and needs of all age groups are heard and addressed. Through collaborative efforts and inclusive policies, we can build a society where everyone, regardless of age, has the opportunity to thrive and prosper. Intergenerational England is dedicated to working with the government, communities, and other stakeholders to achieve this vision. Together, we can create stronger, more connected communities and a brighter future for all.
References:
World Health Organization. (2024). Demographic Change in the WHO European Region. Retrieved from WHO European Region
Office for National Statistics. (2024). Life Expectancy in the UK. Retrieved from ONS Life Expectancy
Campaign to End Loneliness. (2024). Loneliness and Isolation Statistics. Retrieved from Campaign to End Loneliness
Age UK. (2024). Ageism in the Workplace. Retrieved from Age UK Ageism
Department for Work and Pensions. (2024). Employment Statistics for Older Workers. Retrieved from DWP Employment Stats
International Longevity Centre. (2024). Intergenerational Thinking and Policy. Retrieved from ILC UK