LORELY BACKS MOVES TO OUTLAW AGE DISCRIMINATION (East Staffordshire Liberal Democrats)

East Staffordshire Liberal Democrats <info@libdems.org.uk>

LORELY BACKS MOVES TO OUTLAW AGE DISCRIMINATION

January 28, 2009 12:34 PM
Originally published by West Midlands Liberal Democrats

Lorely Burt MP Solihull's MP, Lorely Burt is backing a cross-party motion in Westminster to outlaw age discrimination during the passage of the new Equality Bill through parliament.

Mrs Burt has signed an Early Day Motion calling for the banning of discrimination in the provision of goods, facilities and services to older people and is urging Government to act without delay.

"Health and social care is one of the key areas in which older people face unfair discrimination. This can have a major impact on their quality of life and, in extreme circumstances, can mean that potentially life-saving treatment is denied," said Lorely.

"I will be contacting members of Solihull Pensioners Convention and asking for their support in writing to ministers urging them to introduce the necessary secondary legislation to outlaw age discrimination in health and social care following the second reading of the Bill."

ENDS

Editor's Note:

EDM 458

That this House notes the Government's manifesto commitment to bring in a single comprehensive Equality Bill within the lifetime of this Parliament; welcomes the Government's commitment to banning age discrimination in the provision of goods, facilities and services as part of this Bill; urges all hon. Members to support this Bill; recognises that health and social care is one of the key areas in which older people face unfair discrimination; is concerned that this discrimination has a major impact on their quality of life and, in extreme circumstances, can deny them potentially life-saving treatment; understands that the Government intends to introduce provisions on age discrimination in health and social care by secondary legislation; and is concerned that the provision for this and detailed guidance should be brought forward as soon as possible after Second Reading of the Bill and not be subject to a lengthy delay before enactment.