Our response to the Government's Spring Budget

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond presented his Spring Budget to Parliament yesterday (8 March), in which he delivered the Government’s forthcoming financial plans.

Anna Dixon, Chief Executive of the Centre for Ageing Better, said:

“This is not a budget that fundamentally recognises the significance of an ageing population, apart from a short term boost to social care and a welcome commitment to consider options for the long term sustainability of social care. We are also pleased to see plans for Department for Education to invest an additional £40 million into pilot projects testing different approaches to encourage lifelong learning. This is a welcome move, as currently less than 5% of adult education funding goes to people over 50.

“However, the main focus of this budget on ‘putting the next generation first’ misses the imperative to use the budget to create a future where older people have a positive impact on the public purse.

“This means more people staying in work longer or rejoining the labour market. Apprenticeships and life-long learning should be targeted at older workers as well as young. Helping people – mainly women – return to work after a long career break is a good start, but more is needed to ensure greater flexibility for all, especially those in mid and later life with caring responsibilities or health conditions.”

Read Anna Dixon’s blog on an alternative budget that could support people to be healthy, active and work for longer – What’s the best budget for our ageing society? An alternative reality…