The age manifesto

The issues Wales's over 50s will be voting on at the Assembly elections are being unveiled online today by Age Cymru.

We have produced a film containing a series of interviews with older voters about the subjects that will influence them at the ballot box on 5 May.

‘Opportunities - the age manifesto for the National Assembly' features the six key challenges that older people want the next Welsh Assembly Government to tackle.

Older people are a major influence on the outcome of elections and this year, 75 per cent of constituencies in Wales can expect to see more than half of the vote cast by people aged 55 or over.

Age Cymru's Director of Influencing and Programme Development Victoria Lloyd says:

"The National Assembly for Wales elections in 2011 present an important opportunity for government to commit to improving the lives of older people.

"We need to create a Wales in which older people are valued, respected and cared for - one where they have equal access to services and are empowered to play a full and active part in society.

"Age Cymru has produced the film ‘Opportunities - the age manifesto for the National Assembly' to give older people an opportunity to tell candidates in their own words, about the issues that will matter to them on polling day."

Victoria Lloyd adds:

"Social care is just one of the subjects that older people told us was a concern.

"There is a pressing need for further reforms of social care funding to provide a system that is fair, easy to understand and that tackles age discrimination.

"This must include removing occupational pensions from means testing in the same way as the earnings of people in work."

Victoria Lloyd concludes:

"It is essential that the Assembly recognises the challenges that older voters have thrown down and translate its strategies into action that will deliver lasting change for older people in Wales."