Bill Johnston lays out his hope that the upcoming Scottish election will be an age friendly one, and gives you the tools to help make it happen.

A variety of age-related issues are focussed using the concept of ‘age friendliness’ as promoted by the World Health Organisation to question how sensitive our economy, politics, institutions, services, and environments are to including older citizens and promoting healthy ageing. Answering these questions is important not only for people in the current older age groups (60+) but also for younger people looking ahead to the time when they too become ’the old people’. So where does Scottish politics stand on these matters?

In 2025 John Swinney produced the last Programme for Government (PforG) before the 2026 Election. A major omission was any mention of the situation of older people - 16% of the population and rising. So, it is worth assessing the SNP government’s policy performance in this area during the current and previous parliaments.

In fairness the SNP made two very significant contributions under Nicola Sturgeon’s leadership. Firstly, the introduction of a Minister for Older People and Equalities (2018) and secondly the policy document “A Fairer Scotland for Older People: A Framework for Action” (2019). The ministerial post was innovative in UK terms when Nicola Sturgeon appointed the late Christina McKelvie MSP.

Humza Yousef dropped the ministerial post immediately on becoming FM in 2023 and thereafter responsibility for older people’s rights and issues faded into the broad equalities brief, with little sense of how older people’s interests were being addressed by the government at cabinet level beyond a general assumption that it was ‘everybody’s business’. As for the ‘Fairer Scotland Action Plan’ it remains the fullest guide to Government policy and is apparently undergoing a “refresh” albeit with no timetable attached and, now that the at the Parliamentary session has ended, no sign of it coming out before the election.

So, the SNP appear to be going into the 2026 election with a credibility gap on prioritising older people’s issues. As we move into election mode the positions of the other parties, and their performance in Parliament, will be available for all to see via their manifestos and other outlets and it will be for we, the voters, to question them on those positions before we go to the polls.

Headline issues will likely include Cost of Living; Health, Social Care, and the NHS; Economy; Immigration; and Housing. Prospects for Scottish independence will also be a key issue. Arguably demographic ageing and older people’s rights and issues are likely to be subordinate in what is likely to be a very ‘noisy’ campaign. So, the cross-cutting questions about older people’s needs, rights and equality of treatment must be raised given that Scotland has a significantly ageing population. For a detailed analysis and proposals for a new social contract for an ageing population see our book.

It is unlikely any candidate for election would deny being ‘age friendly’, if for no other reason than the size of the ‘grey vote’. The issue is what do they mean and where does ageing stand in their Party’s list of policy priorities?

The following questions are essential to interrogate party leaders, candidates, campaigners, manifestos, etc and provide suggestions for commentators or for yourself should you be able to pose them:

• How would you bring an end to ageism? This includes institutional ageism as well as personal behaviour and media representations.

• How will you improve respect for the human rights and legal protections of older people?

• Do you have a comprehensive strategy for healthy ageing with social care systems adapted to demographic ageing?

• What is your policy for reforming the labour market and employment rights to offer choices for better, longer, and fairer working lives?

• What are your plans for delivering age proofed housing development?

• Do you support the right to retirement with an acceptable income, including the option of a Universal Basic Income (UBI).

This critical approach should include scrutiny of 2026 election campaign narratives and materials to call out ageist stereotypes and replace them with positive messages.

Also given the importance of 2026 for the question of independence, a key issue to consider is what does it mean for a small independent nation to have an ageing population?

In essence there is no sign of a comprehensive approach to these issues from the Scottish Government or the other parties represented at Holyrood. Therefore, my main proposal is for the next Scottish Government to create a comprehensive, integrated strategy for our ageing population. Also, Independence campaigning needs to produce a better narrative of ageing and how an independent Scotland would value its older citizens.

“Given the importance of 2026 for the question of independence, a key issue to consider is what does it mean for a small independent nation to have an ageing population?”