This week, Age UK London hosted its Older Londoners’ Election Hustings 2021. The event was an opportunity for mayoral candidates to answer questions from older Londoners about what they would do to make the capital a better place for older people now and for future generations of older citizens.
The speakers at the event were Sian Berry (Green Party), Luisa Porritt (Liberal Democrat), Nickie Aiken (Conservative MP for Cities of London and Westminster representing Shaun Bailey), and Karen Buck (Labour MP for Westminster North representing Sadiq Khan).
Older Londoners are the fastest-growing demographic in the capital and contribute £47 billion to the capital’s annual economy. They have also been disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Many have been cut off from friends and family; faced barriers to engaging with vital community services; struggled to access food and essentials; and many have seen their physical and mental health decline.
Age UK London’s Chief Executive, Abigail Wood, said:
“Around a third of votes cast in the upcoming London elections will be cast by over older Londoners so it’s imperative all the candidates are thinking about how to make the city more age-friendly. Older Londoners have been hit hard by the pandemic and Age UK London is calling on the next mayor to put older Londoners at the heart of the recovery”.
