Parlimentary Update: Women & Equalities Committee

The Women and Equalities Committee has warned that the Government risks a ‘missed opportunity’ if there is no cross-departmental strategy to address the UK’s ageing population, following the Government’s response published today to its Rights of Older People report. Please see key points from the Government’s response below:

Workforce and Pension Support:

• Efforts on menopause and gender pay gap aim to reduce women dropping out of work, improving pension outcomes and tackling pension poverty.
• Gender Pensions Gap for ages 55–59 was 35% (2018–2020). Auto-enrolment into workplace pensions has boosted women’s pension participation from 40% in 2012 to 86% in 2023, equal to men.
• DWP provides employment support for all ages, with tailored support for older workers (50+ Champions, Midlife reviews).
• Engagement with employers promotes age-friendly recruitment and retention practices.

Health and Social Care

• The 10 Year Health Plan prioritises reducing health inequalities, especially for older adults in deprived areas.
• Digital health access is being improved with support for digital literacy and inclusive design, ensuring older people are not left behind.
• Integration of digital services complements face-to-face care for older patients.

Data, Research, and Strategy Development

• The Office of Equality and Opportunity (OEO) already analyses intersectional data including age.
• There is a recommendation to establish a dedicated unit within OEO to build an evidence base on cross-departmental challenges related to ageing and demographic change.
• OEO collaborates with departments like ONS and HM Treasury on equalities data and shares expertise.

Older People’s Rights and Frameworks

• The Government will evaluate the Commissioner for Older People in Wales and consider whether to replicate or adapt this framework for England.
• Consideration will be given to how Older People’s Champions might operate in England, including their scale and coordination with the Equality and Human Rights Commission.
• The Equality Act 2010 currently provides a strong framework against age discrimination but further measures may be informed by evaluation findings.

Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) on Older People in Advertising

• ASA is researching the depiction of older people in advertising, aiming to identify if current rules sufficiently protect against harm or offence caused by ageist portrayals.
• Quantitative and qualitative research has been conducted with over 4,000 UK respondents.
• Final research report is expected in Q2 2025; further steps will depend on findings.
• ASA is committed to protecting vulnerable groups and will share results with the Committee.

Ofcom’s Role and Response on Ageism in Broadcasting

• Ofcom regulates broadcast content to protect audiences, including rules against discriminatory or offensive material based on age (Broadcasting Code Rule 2.3).
• Research shows ageism and age-related discrimination are currently low concerns among audiences compared to other issues.
• Complaints related to age discrimination are very few and consistent over recent years.
• Ofcom does not see a need for additional rules at present but will continue monitoring and researching the issue.
• Ofcom collects extensive voluntary data on age diversity in broadcasting workforce and highlights under-representation of those aged 50+, particularly at entry levels.
• There has been some improvement in representation of employees aged 50+, with 45% of senior managers and on-screen/on-air roles held by people 50+.
• Ofcom supports ongoing industry engagement and sharing of best practices to promote equality and diversity including age

The following written questions of interest has been answered:

Suella Braverman (Con, Fareham and Waterlooville): To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of banking hubs on (a) businesses and (b) economic growth in (i) towns and (ii) villages.

Emma Reynolds (Lab, Wycombe): The Government continues to work closely with industry to roll out 350 banking hubs across the UK. The UK banking sector has committed to deliver these hubs by the end of this Parliament. Over 220 hubs have been announced so far, and over 150 are already open. The location of these banking hubs is determined independently by LINK. The criteria that LINK consider includes population size, whether other banks remain nearby, the number of SMEs on the high street and public transport links, as well as the level of vulnerability in the community.

Access to financial services is key to ensuring all citizens can both contribute to and benefit from growth in the UK. Cash Access UK, who oversee the rollout of banking hubs, reported from their research in Brixham (Devon) and Rochford (Essex), in October 2024 that spend on the high street is 71% higher amongst those who have visited the banking hub. Almost half (47%) of businesses surveyed said they have experienced an increase in footfall thanks to the banking hub.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department has made an estimate of the number of police widows who lose access to their survivor’s pension when they cohabit or remarry.

Awaiting response: due for answer by 15 May 2025

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department plans to bring forward legislative proposals to ensure that police widows do not lose access to their survivor’s pension if they cohabit or remarry.

Awaiting response: due for answer by 15 May 2025

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department has made a comparative assessment of access to widow pensions for women who (a) cohabit and (b) remarry for widows of (i) police and (ii) armed forces personnel.

Awaiting response: due for answer by 15 May 2025

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department has made a comparative assessment of access to police widow pensions for women who (a) cohabit and (b) remarry in (i) England, (ii) Scotland and (iii) Northern Ireland.

Awaiting response: due for answer by 15 May 2025