Age-friendly London

Caroline Russell AM moved, and Hina Bokhari AM seconded the following motion:

“This Assembly notes that this month marks one year since the Mayor published ‘Towards an age-friendly London: full action plan.

The publication was part of his pledge to improve our city for older Londoners, and a requirement for cities signed up to the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Global Network of Age-friendly Cities and Communities, which London did in 2018.

Older people make a huge contribution to life in our city, but research has found that just one in five over the age of 60 believe that London is a place where older people are valued. And despite the perception of London as a young city, older people are our fastest growing demographic. There are more than 2.5 million Londoners aged over 50; a million of these are over 65 and a large proportion live in poverty.

This Assembly is therefore pleased to recognise the nine London boroughs that have committed to becoming more age-friendly by joining the UK Network of Age Friendly Cities and Communities.

To make real progress on becoming a truly age-friendly city, this Assembly calls on the Mayor to:

1.      Commission an independent assessment of the Action Plan and establish how representatives of older age groups in London can scrutinise delivery

2.      Link the Action Plan to policy- making across the GLA Group so it can be delivered across the functional bodies as well as by the London Partnership Board and the new missions boards

3.      Promote his Action Plan in partnership with London Councils and work with them and London Boroughs to monitor progress of the objectives at a local level

4.      Publish regular updates on what progress he has made on his Action Plan.”

Following debate and upon being put to the vote, the motion was agreed unanimously.