Response to Bill of Rights Commission announcement

Statement in response to the government's announcement of a Bill of Rights Commission

Michelle Mitchell, Charity Director of Age UK said:

'Recent reports of the appalling treatment that older people experience on a regular basis in our hospitals demonstrate that now more than ever older people need the rights enshrined in the Human Rights Act. We know of many instances where the Act has helped prevent humiliating or inhumane treatment of older people and ensured that their dignity is respected.

'We are deeply concerned that a small number of controversial cases, often reported in an inflammatory way, have eclipsed these concrete improvements in the lives of older people that have been brought through the Human Rights Act. The commission announced today to investigate the case for a UK Bill of Rights must not in any way undermine the ability of an individual to seek redress for breaches of their human rights as set down in the European Convention on Human Rights.'

- ENDS -

Notes to Editors

1. Age UK have available sample cases of where the Human Rights Act has helped older people.

Age UK

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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).

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