As Co-Chairs of the UK network of AGE Platform Europe, we are calling on you ahead of the May elections to the European Parliament to support an Age Friendly UK and European Union.

Why does an Age Friendly UK and EU matter?
The UK population is ageing and there are now more people aged 60 and above than there are under 18. Over the last century, average life expectancy has risen by 30 years, one third of babies born in the UK today will live to celebrate their 100th birthday and the value to the UK economy of grandparents providing childcare is £7.3 billion (almost double its value a decade ago). That we are living much longer, often healthier, lives is to be celebrated but there are also important barriers to an age friendly future. Inequalities and stereotypes need to be challenged to ensure that the UK benefits as it ages and that older people today and tomorrow can flourish in later life.

On election day, older voters will want to know that they can count on you and your party, if elected, to defend their interests in the European Parliament. This is why AGE Platform has developed a Manifesto for the European Parliament elections in May 2014, outlining key policy priorities of concern to older people.

You may read AGE Platform Europe Manifesto adapted to the UK context here: Age Platform UK Manifesto 2014