7/12/2004

The first step was taken today along the road to establishing an independent Commissioner for Older People in Wales, with the announcement of a start to the process of securing the necessary primary legislation.

Peter Hain, Secretary of State for Wales today confirmed that a draft Bill to establish a Commissioner for Older People in Wales will be introduced into Parliament for pre-legislative scrutiny, early in the New Year.

John Griffiths, Deputy Minister with specific responsibility for older people's issues said: "This Bill to establish a fully independent Commissioner for Older People in Wales will enable us to safeguard and promote the best interests of older people in Wales. It will help us make substantial progress towards our aim - to better value older people and to tackle discrimination on grounds of age. We want to challenge unfair and outdated attitudes, and practices, which affect older people.”

Jane Hutt, Minister for Health and Social Services said: "Our pledge to establish a Commissioner for Older People in Wales was one of the key commitments in our Labour Manifesto for the 2003 Assembly Elections. It is also very much in line with our landmark Strategy for Older People in Wales, which aims to improve the lives of older people and to help us plan for an ageing society. Wide-ranging consultation has strongly supported the case for a Commissioner and I am very pleased that the UK Government has decided that work can be commenced on this important legislation."

A report on the role and responsibilities of a Commissioner was produced by an Assembly Government Advisory Group, chaired by John Griffiths, and published in May 2004. A public consultation was held on the Advisory Group's recommendations and this concluded on 30th September 2004. An analysis of the consultation responses showed that respondents are overwhelmingly in favour of both the concept of an independent Commissioner (93%) and the functions proposed for the office (84%). This established quite clearly that people in Wales want to see such legislation introduced.

There has been strong pressure for this legislation from groups representing older people in Wales - including Age Concern Cymru, Help the Aged, the National Old Age Pensioners Association of Wales and the Pensioners Forum Wales.

This would be the first Commissioner for older people in Britain.

If the pre-legislative scrutiny of the draft bill proceeds as hoped, then subject to parliamentary time being found in the 2005-6 Parliamentary Session, and subject to the parliamentary process, the independent Commissioner could be appointed in 2007.

Source:	National Assembly for Wales
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