Older People

(asked on 10th July 2020) - View Source

Question to the Department for International Development:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that ageing continues to be identified as a ministerial responsibility within an inclusive societies portfolio when the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is established.


Answered by
Baroness Sugg Portrait
Baroness Sugg
This question was answered on 17th July 2020

The new FCDO’s guiding purpose will be to promote the UK’s national interest around the world. The new organization will take a broad view of national interest, which will be based on values, as well as our core interests of security and prosperity. The UK stands for open societies and democratic values, alongside poverty reduction and supporting the vulnerable, because they are right in themselves and also the best route to lasting stability and growth.

As the current minister for Inclusive Societies, I recognize that empowering older people is key to achieving poverty reduction. COVID-19 has thrown into sharp relief the vulnerability of older people to shocks and brought to the forefront the important roles they play in society.

The UK is committed to ensuring that, through all channels of support, our assistance reaches the most marginalized, which will include older people. The new department will continue to prioritise those furthest left behind and champion inclusion of vulnerable groups in our responses.

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