What your campaigning has achieved

During the last year:

• Age UK’s Policy and Campaigns Teams have been working closely with older people, Partners and Forums to ratchet up pressure on the banks to continue to offer cheques. On the 12 July the Payments Council announced that cheques will stay for as long as customers need them. This is great news for the three quarters of people over 65 who use them.
  Our More money in your pocket campaign helped older people claim over £100 million in benefits that would otherwise not have been claimed.
• In July 2010, the government announced an end to forced retirement as a result of Age UK's four-year campaign against the default retirement age. Older workers will have the freedom to choose when they want to retire. This is a huge victory for anyone who is at risk of being forced out of a job because of their age.
• Over 80% of all NHS trusts in England have contacted Age UK to find out more about our Hungry to be heard campaign to end the malnourishment of older people in hospital. Of these, 55% have made changes to ensure we get the food and help we need at hospital mealtimes.
• As part of our 'Cut Cake not Care' campaign, we asked campaigners to email the Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne and ask him to protect vital care services for older people. Hundreds of you did so, and your efforts were rewarded when the Chancellor announced an extra £2 billion for adult social care in the Comprehensive Spending Review.

This year we are continuing to campaign to help people enjoy a better later life.

If you would like to be part of our campaigns, drop us an email and we'll let you know how you can help.