Thank you for contacting me about the rights of older people globally.
I recognise the serious human rights issues that older people often face in many parts of the world.
I am supportive of work undertaken by the UN in recent years to encourage governments to ensure that people everywhere can age with security and dignity. This includes establishing an Open-Ended Working Group on Ageing in 2010 which met every year for 14 years to consider the existing international framework of the human rights of older persons and identify possible gaps and how to address them. I understand that, under the previous Government, the UK engaged in the annual sessions of the Open Ended Working Group on Ageing, supporting resolutions on the rights of older persons at the UN Human Rights Council and at the UN General Assembly. While the Working Group has recently ended its operations, I hope the current Government will continue its predecessor's efforts.
Under the previous Government, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office used a life course approach in its work, taking into consideration the diverse experiences, priorities and requirements of older people, many of whom have disabilities, impacting their autonomy, dignity and social participation. I want to see the current Government continue to take a similar approach, and will be following developments closely.
Regarding the Government’s policy choices at home towards older people, I am deeply concerned by the decision to press ahead with the Winter Fuel Allowance cut at the 2024 Autumn Budget. This policy, leaving almost ten million pensioners out in the cold, will have a huge impact on pensioners already in poverty. Many will face the dreadful choice between heating and eating, caused by the current Government. I believe the choice made by the Government to cut the Winter Fuel Allowance was a cruel and mean decision, and demonstrates a clear neglect of our pensioners.
Since the current government announced its decision to remove the Winter Fuel Payment during the Budget of Broken Promises, I have launched my Protect our Pensioners campaign. On 19th October, I held a well-attended protest in Withernsea to bring more focus and attention to this pressing issue.
In November, together with Sir David Davis MP and Charlie Dewhirst MP, I presented a petition against the Winter Fuel Payment of over 1,000 residents of the East Riding to No. 11 Downing Street.
If you have not already, you can join my campaign or sign the petition here:
https://www.grahamstuart.com/KeepPensionersWarm
Please be assured that my colleagues and I will continue to speak out for older people and pensioners, both at home and across the world.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.
