Ian Duncan Smith's speech at 'Agenda for later life'

Our comment on Ian Duncan Smith's speech at the 'Agenda for later life' conference

Michelle Mitchell, Charity Director at Age UK, said:

'Today's speech has been about setting out the direction of travel and the principles driving this. We applaud the Secretary of State for taking these steps and getting the Treasury and No 10 behind them.

'Three cheers for aspiration, but this announcement appears to be solely for future generations entering retirement.

'The Secretary of State must take credit for protecting the benefits that today's pensioners already enjoy such as the bus pass, Winter fuel payment and free TV licence for the over 75s, but there is nothing in this announcement that will represent a step change forward for today's pensioner population. We look forward to hearing what plans the government have for lifting the 1.8million pensioners currently living in poverty.'

- ENDS - 

Notes to Editors

Age UK

For media enquiries relating to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland please contact the appropriate national office: Age Scotland on 0131 668 8055, Age Cymru on 029 2043 1562 and Age NI on 028 9024 5729.

Age UK is the new force combining Age Concern and Help the Aged, dedicated to improving later life.

We provide free information, advice and support to over five million people; commercial products and services to over one million customers; and research and campaign on the issues that matter to people in later life. Our work focuses on five key areas: money matters, health and well being, home and care, work and training and leisure and lifestyle. We work with our national partners, Age Scotland, Age Cymru and Age NI (together the Age UK Family), our local Age UK partners in England and local Age Concerns. We also work internationally for people in later life as a member of the DEC and with our sister charity Help Age International.

Age UK is a charitable company limited by guarantee and registered in England (registered charity number 1128267 and company number 6825798). Age Concern England and Help the Aged (both registered charities), and their trading and other associated companies merged on the 1st April 2009. Together they have formed the Age UK Group ('we'). Charitable services are offered through Age UK and commercial products are offered by the Charity's trading companies, which donate their net profits to Age UK (the Charity).

Media Contact: Andrew Walker
Telephone: 020 8765 7512
Out-of-office-hours: 07071 243 243