Ground-breaking partnership to tackle inequalities in later life in Greater Manchester

The Centre for Ageing Better and Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA)  have agreed a five-year partnership to develop and share innovative approaches to tackling social, economic and health inequalities in later life.

Ageing Better will capture evidence about what works to help ensure a good later life, and will work through the Greater Manchester Ageing Hub to apply this to drive improvements across Greater Manchester.

Ageing Better and GMCA share an ambitious goal to help many more people aged 50 and over stay in work and get into work.

Employment rates for people living in the North West of England are significantly worse than the English average and in Greater Manchester almost one in three of the region’s 50-64 year olds are not working.

It is estimated that boosting the number of people in work aged 50 years and over in the region to the all-age Greater Manchester average could increase Gross Value Added by as much as £901.6m.

Ageing Better and GMCA will start by developing and testing a new approach to supporting people aged 50 years and over re-enter the labour market. Being out of work in one’s 50s is a key risk factor for a poor later life associated with poor health, financial insecurity and social isolation.

As well as benefiting the local economy, helping individuals to get back to work will give them a better chance of enjoying a good later life.

Ageing Better and GMCA will also work together to ensure that current and future housing meets the needs of an ageing population.

Anna Dixon, Chief Executive of the Centre for Ageing Better, said: “Greater Manchester is in an ideal position to use its devolved powers to respond positively to its ageing population. This is a unique opportunity to demonstrate how a large scale and evidence-based approach to creating an age-friendly region can transform experiences of later life.” 

Tony Lloyd, Interim Mayor for Greater Manchester said: “I want Greater Manchester to be the UK’s most age-friendly city-region.

“By working together as part of Greater Manchester Ageing Hub we will be able to make better decisions locally that improve the lives of older people right across Greater Manchester.”