Scotish parliament;- Dedicated Minister for Older People

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/S4_PublicPetitionsCommittee/Petitions/PE1419_Final_Template_28.02.12.pdf

 

(For official use only) PUBLIC PETITION NO.

PE  1419

PLEASE REFER TO GUIDANCE NOTES AT THE BACK OF THIS FORM.

1. Name of petitioner

Jimmy Deuchars

2. Petition title

Petition for the Scottish Government to create a dedicated Minister for older people.

3. Petition text

Calling on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to create a dedicated Minister for older people Older people are fast becoming one of the largest groups in Scotland: the country now has a greater number of people aged 60 and over than it does people aged 16 and under.  Life expectancy will only continue to increase, and our Government will face significant challenges as it prepares to serve the ageing population. The UK has no choice but to ensure that older people can live comfortably and enjoy dignity and respect in their later years.  Despite making up 40% of voters, there is no Government minister dedicated to the well-being of older people. Older people’s issues are scattered throughout various Government departments. What is sorely lacking is a centralised Government portfolio that prioritises the needs of older people and ensures that their views and interests receive dedicated attention.  Many governments around the world, including those of Ireland and Canada, currently have a dedicated Minister for older people, and it is high time Scotland followed suit. Both Wales and Northern Ireland have appointed an Older People’s Commissioner, but all older people living in Scotland deserve a centralised ministerial post that looks after their needs.  Older people are people to be proud of; people to respect; people who deserve someone at the highest level to look after their interests.  We, therefore, call on our Government to provide real leadership for scotlands older people: to listen to their issues, give voice to them, and help all Scottish citizens enjoy happy living in the years ahead.

4. Action taken to resolve issues of concern before submitting the petition

Setting up a Political Party and running for parliament in the 2011 elections. Constant approaches to MSPs  by members of Grandparents Apart UK to resolve family problems and being older people as well it is double the pain and hurt.

5. Petition background information

By running a grandparent’s charity we find that older people and grandparents are not treated as well as they should be. Some are living in real poverty with having to make decisions as to feed themselves or heat themselves as they cannot now do both.

6. Do you wish your petition to be hosted on the Parliament’s website as an e-petition?

YES (Delete as appropriate).   If you answer “NO” please proceed to section 9.

7. Closing date for e-petition

1st October 2012

8. Comments to stimulate on-line discussion

82% of older people’s real and psychosomatic illnesses are caused by loneliness and separation from their family.  It would appear that older people are forgotten when it comes to making national decisions by all political parties. This causes great distress, hopelessness and depression for older people. A dedicated minister would put more heart and hope into older people giving them the importance and respect due to them and reversing the feeling of being (thrown on the scrap heap)

9. Administrative information (not for publication)
Name	Jimmy Deuchars
Address	22 Alness Crescent Glasgow G52 1PJ
Telephone nos.	Home:0141 882 5658 Mobile:07792392220
E-mail address	jimmd@sky.com
No. of petition signatures
Statement to the committee Should the Public Petitions Committee consider it necessary to broaden its understanding of your petition, it may ask a petitioner to appear before it to speak and answer questions. If asked, would you wish to appear?
YES / NO     (Delete as appropriate).
Signature of principal petitioner When satisfied that your petition meets all the criteria outlined in How to submit a public petition the principal petitioner should sign and date below.
Signature Jimmy Deuchars…    Date 30th September 2011……………………..
Completed forms should be returned to— The Clerk to the Public Petitions Committee The Scottish Parliament Edinburgh, EH99 1SP          petitions@scottish.parliament.uk                Tel: 0131 348 5982 Fax: 0131 348 5088 www.scottish.parliament.uk/s3/committees/petitions/index.htm http://scottishparliamentpetitions.blogspot.com/ Section 100 of the Postal Service Act 2000 provides that petitions can be posted to the Parliament free of charge if handed in at a post office. To make use of this service, the envelope should be clearly marked "Petition to the Scottish Parliament" and should use the postal address provided below.