NEW REPORT SHOWS HIGHLY CONCERNING LEVELS OF SOCIAL EXCLUSION AMONG OLDER PEOPLE - MULHOLLAND

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 18th Feb 2008

Greg Mulholland MP, the Liberal Democrat Shadow Minister for Health with specific responsibility for Older People, has called the levels of social exclusion among Older People, highlighted in a new report by Age Concern, deeply alarming.

The report reveals that over 1 million older people in the UK are being shut out by the society in which they live, as a result of problems such as financial poverty, lack of access to suitable housing and local services, and loneliness.

Further, answers received in response to Parliamentary Questions tabled by Mr Mulholland reveal that the Government appears unwilling to take any more action to address this issue. Instead the Government's Social Exclusion Taskforce planned programme will only focus on younger generations.

Commenting Mr Mulholland said:

"It is shocking that over a million people in this country are being excluded from the society around them, it should not be possible in this day and age.

"Older people are among the most vulnerable in society yet they are being marginalised and ignored.

"I fully agree with Age Concern - we must address this problem urgently, otherwise the silent suffering of older people in this country, cut off from those around them, will continue. The Government needs to urgently look again at its priorities."