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Cameron sees 'ageing UK' benefits Cameron sees 'ageing UK' benefits
(about 1 hour later)
An attitude change is needed to ensure Britain's ageing population is a boost not a burden to the economy, says Conservative leader David Cameron.An attitude change is needed to ensure Britain's ageing population is a boost not a burden to the economy, says Conservative leader David Cameron.
Mr Cameron, who will give a speech to Age Concern later, said that as 11m baby boomers become pensioners, British society is undergoing a "big change".Mr Cameron, who will give a speech to Age Concern later, said that as 11m baby boomers become pensioners, British society is undergoing a "big change".
"We have to make sure this is an opportunity, a benefit...rather than a cost," he told the BBC."We have to make sure this is an opportunity, a benefit...rather than a cost," he told the BBC.
Labour accused Mr Cameron of changing his message to suit his audience.Labour accused Mr Cameron of changing his message to suit his audience.
One in six people are currently aged 65 or over, but it is predicted that within 30 years it will be more than one in four.One in six people are currently aged 65 or over, but it is predicted that within 30 years it will be more than one in four.
We have to change our approach and our attitude and our behaviour towards older people in order to reap the benefits of an older society David Cameron We have to change our approach and our attitude and our behaviour towards older people David Cameron
In a speech to Age Concern, Mr Cameron will say over-50s who continue to work could boost the economy by as much as £30m. In a speech to Age Concern, Mr Cameron will say over-50s who continue to work could boost the economy by as much as £30m - helping to offset the cost of additional care for an ageing population.
He told the BBC: "We are not getting it right at the moment". He told the BBC: "We are not getting it right at the moment."
"My argument is, we have to change our approach and our attitude and our behaviour towards older people in order to reap the benefits of an older and more mature society," he said."My argument is, we have to change our approach and our attitude and our behaviour towards older people in order to reap the benefits of an older and more mature society," he said.
He will tell Age Concern most people are not ill for long periods before they die, and economic activities of older people could offset the cost of additional care. But asked on BBC Radio 4's Today programme whether he would abolish the civil service retirement age of 60 years, he said: "I think we should look at these things and that's not a pledge I can make today."
Life expectancy 'No credibility'
Older people play a vital role, he will say - contributing an estimated £24bn a year already in unpaid work.
For Labour, pensions minister James Purnell said they had legislated to outlaw age discrimination at work and was committed to helping those who want to work for longer.For Labour, pensions minister James Purnell said they had legislated to outlaw age discrimination at work and was committed to helping those who want to work for longer.
Just weeks ago, the Tories were trying to appeal to young people by saying the baby boomer generation had too much power and influence James PurnellLabour minister
He said Mr Cameron had no credibility and "just tells every audience what they want to hear".He said Mr Cameron had no credibility and "just tells every audience what they want to hear".
"Just weeks ago, the Tories were trying to appeal to young people by saying the baby boomer generation had too much power and influence."Just weeks ago, the Tories were trying to appeal to young people by saying the baby boomer generation had too much power and influence.
"But this week David Cameron is making a speech to older people so he gives them a different message," he said."But this week David Cameron is making a speech to older people so he gives them a different message," he said.
The government's life expectancy figures show that in 1981 a man aged 65 could expect to live, on average, for another 13 years.The government's life expectancy figures show that in 1981 a man aged 65 could expect to live, on average, for another 13 years.
But by 2004 that had risen by nearly four years to 16.7 years.But by 2004 that had risen by nearly four years to 16.7 years.