What happened to Older People in the PfG 2026?
This year’s Programme for Government promised to be “ambitious for Scotland”, but managed to almost completely ignore older people again and forget about the ambitions it laid out in previous Parliaments.
Introduction
Craig Dalzell’s critique of the PfG pointed out the absence of direct reference to older people. This suggests the First Minister (FM) and his team don’t see older people’s rights and issues as a priority for ScotGov.
To appreciate the gravity of this omission we should recall that Nicola Sturgeon when she was FM took these matters seriously enough to introduce a Minister for Older People and Equalities in 2018 (The late Christina McKelvie, MSP). This was a ground-breaking step for the UK. Nicola’s successor as SNP leader and FM, Humza Yousaf, summarily dropped the post from his cabinet (see here and here) and the responsibility for protecting older people’s rights and dealing with issues steadily slid down the pecking order into the broad range of equalities portfolios. As Age is a protected characteristic in the 2010 Equalities Act, alongside disability, race, gender, etc. this should not have been allowed to happen without challenge.
Allied to the removal of specific ministerial responsibility ScotGov’s 2019 Fairer Scotland for Older People Framework for Action has also receded from view over the same period. It does not get a mention in the PfG and attempts to establish it’s status pre-election revealed that it is being ‘refreshed’ but with no timescale for when the revised document will be published and put before MSPs for discussion and parliamentary action. As this document was the main strategic position of ScotGov going into the May 2026 election, it needs to resurface ASAP now that parliament is back in session.
In effect ScotGov interest in older people hit a high point with Nicola Sturgeon around 2019 and has slowly eroded over the seven years and two First Ministers since then. This timeline of steady decline is a serious condemnation of political leadership and should be a spur to radical change in the coming months.
Demographics and Political Economy: A divisive relationship?
John Swinney's First Minister’s Foreword to the PfG yielded this item on page 04:
"Putting prevention first Scotland’s specific circumstances – demographic changes, an ageing population and people living longer with more complex health conditions – risk rising demand and costs unless we radically shift course. While the most acute impacts may be felt in our healthcare system, when spending rises there, it impacts our ability to invest in other public services that keep people healthy in the first place." (emphasis mine
“The work towards a UN Convention for Older People is a landmark moment in recognising one of the fastest growing segments of the global population.”
So, there is a mention for "demographic changes" and "an ageing population”. However the latter is focussed on health care and the problem of rising costs, whilst the whole issue of demographic change is not pursued in detail. Consequently there is scope to question what exactly the FM is proposing to do in these areas and scope for citizens to press their MSPs for answers.
In the meantime it is noticeable that ‘ageing population’ references are popping up more often in UK news stories, about 'tough choices' for Westminster between spending on Welfare and Defence for example. A sharply focussed version comes from the ever-newsworthy Lord Jim O’Neill, currently ‘advising’ Andy Burnham from outside government to drop the triple lock on pensions in order to reduce welfare spending thereby sending reassuring signals to the financial markets.
Arguably the familiar ageist narrative of ‘older people are an expensive burden’ (and we could spend the money on something else) is being rehearsed at the outset of Burnham’s time as PM and before his Chancellor’s first budget in a month’s time. Devolved Scotland won’t be immune to these pressures and older citizens are likely to be impacted by such macro policy moves.
All Our Futures: Time for a New Social Contract
When Craig Dalzell and I published our book All Of Our Futures in 2021we subtitled it “Scotland’s ageing population and what to do about it 2021-45”. Our aim was to set out a comprehensive strategy for demographic changes entailing pensions, housing, healthy ageing, labour market reform and other key issues. In effect we argued for a new social contract for all Scots, regardless of age group, based in mutuality and not division to create a better future for the nation.
The latest PfG and the slow loss of interest in older people by ScotGov tells its own discouraging story of lost opportunities. It also sits uncomfortably alongside the UN Intergovernmental Working Group on a Convention for Older People. This work aims to advance the UN Convention on the rights of older persons. It is a landmark moment in recognising one of the fastest growing segments of the global population. The aim is to overcome neglect of their rights in law, protect them against discrimination and combat ageism. ScotGov should acknowledge this development, commit to adopting the Convention when it is completed and monitor its progress as a guide to improving equal opportunities in Scotland.
Conclusion: What can citizen’s do?
Arguably a well-designed Citizen's Assembly on population ageing would be a sensible and potentially influential step in the right direction. The failures of ScotGov and the political leadership over the last seven years are a powerful argument in its favour. This proposal also offers a potential example of how my ideas on Deliberative Democracy and Informed Citizenship can be realised.
So, where to start? In her Foreword to the 2019 Framework for Action (P4), Christina McKelive wrote:
“Ageing is inevitable. It happens regardless of your gender your ethnicity or your sexuality. Yet older Scots can face many barriers that not only impede their potential, but which can actually cause harm. That shouldn’t happen. Age is a protected characteristic under the Equality Act (2010), yet ageism persists in Scotland and I am determined to tackle it.”
Surely the new Parliament can deliver on that determination by 2031.