News

Meeting with Minister for Local Government and Communities, Carl Sargeant

13.2.12

Ruth Marks, Older People’s Commissioner for Wales, met with Carl Sargeant, the Welsh Government’s Minister for Local Government and Communities on 6 February to discuss issues faced by older people in Wales.

Ruth raised issues such as public sector cuts and how they affect older people’s lives. In particular she emphasised the impact on the Welsh Government’s prevention agenda, and fears that older people may be disproportionately affected by cuts to services like social care, community and public transport.  They discussed the recent letter Ruth had sent the Minister which raised concerns that ending the funding to the Community Transport Concessionary Fares Initiative would have a detrimental impact upon the lives of many older people across Wales.

Ruth mentioned the Commission’s recent work around Information and Advice services for older people, and the plans to issue guidance to public bodies. The Minister recognised this as a key issue, noting there was a review of these services and an advisory group on welfare reform, which would be looking at advice in this key area.

The work the Older People’s Commission has done around pressing the UK Government to respond positively to the Dilnot recommendations around paying for care was mentioned, as well as the Welsh Government’s new Tackling Poverty Action Plan.

Ruth also noted her recent and current Reviews, and the links to local government around effective hospital discharge and advocacy arrangements in care homes.  She concluded by referring to the Commission’s work on adult protection and recent helpful meetings with the Welsh Government’s Domestic Violence team.