Age discrimination in goods, services and facilities

Here is a letter that Age Cymru has issued to all Welsh newspapers today on behalf of Age Alliance Wales. 

Dear Editor,

Ban on age discrimination comes into force

1 October is a significant day for older people - it's the UN International Day of Older Persons and UK Older People's Day.

It's also the day that the UK Government's first ban on age discrimination in goods, services and facilities comes into force.

Age discrimination is one of the most widespread forms of discrimination in the UK and is at the heart of much of the poor treatment experienced by older people.

Too often people receive inferior services, pay higher prices for goods, or simply cannot access the goods or services they need at all because of their age.

Age Alliance Wales and its 20 members broadly welcome this ban as a step forward in the eventual outlawing of age discrimination in all its shapes and forms.

The ban will affect public and private organisations and means that treating people differently because of their age when providing most goods, facilities or services will be unlawful.

However, the wide exception to the ban that the UK Government has granted to the financial services industry is very disappointing.

It means that older people can, for example, still be discriminated against because of their age when they try to obtain insurance or banking services.

We know that ageism in financial services causes worry and distress for many older people, limiting their choices and increasing costs.

This is why we must continue to press for financial services to be subject to the ban and urge the UK Government to keep the impact of this exception under close scrutiny.

Ultimately society must value older people more and appreciate their talents and the contribution they make, and not just get fixated about their date of birth.

Yours sincerely,

• Robert Taylor OBE, Chair of Age Alliance Wales and Chief Executive of Age Cymru;
• 
  Angela Roberts, Vice Chair of Age Alliance Wales and Director of Wales, Carer's Trust;
• 
  Richard Williams, Director of Action on Hearing Loss Cymru;
• 
  Ana Palazón, Director for Stroke Association in Wales;
• 
  Roz Williamson, Director of Carers Wales;
• 
  Chris Jones, Managing Director of Care and Repair Cymru;
• 
  Janette Bourne, Director of Cruse Cymru;
• 
  Ceri Jackson, Director of RNIB Cymru;
• 
  Babara Locke, Director of CSV-RSVP;
• 
  Rhian Davies, Chief Executive of Disability Wales;
• 
  Richard Spear, Chief Executive of NIACE Dysgu Cymru;
• 
  Keith Arscott, Director of Contact the Elderly;
• 
  David Pugh, Chief Executive of Prime Cymru;
• 
  Pat Hart, Chair of Abbeyfield Cymru;
• 
  Mary Cowern, Director of Wales, Arthritis Care;
• 
  Keith Arscott, Director of Contact the Elderly;
• 
  Sue Phelps, Director for Wales of Alzheimer's Society;
• 
  Sally Rivers, Head of Service for Wales, WRVS;
• 
  Ross Evans, Project Manager of Deafblind Cymru;
• 
  Anthony Hughes, U3A Trustee for Wales and Chairman, Swansea U3A;