Lawmakers are pushing back against the stereotype that older individuals are hoarding wealth while younger generations face financial struggles. A report from the UK’s women and equalities committee is urging action to combat age discrimination, which they argue is widespread in the country. Criticism is aimed at media portrayals of baby boomers, those born between 1946 and 1964, as either frail or living luxuriously at the expense of their descendants.
The report also highlights a lack of attention from past governments towards addressing the digital exclusion of older individuals, as more services move online in areas such as banking and healthcare. Despite the aging population in the UK, with 11 million people in England and Wales aged over 65 and over half a million aged over 90, ageist stereotypes remain prevalent in the media. Depictions of older people as frail, helpless, or incompetent, as well as wealth-hoarding “boomers,” are cited as harmful and divisive by the Centre for Ageing Better.
Lawmakers are advocating for a crackdown on these stereotypes by regulatory bodies like the Advertising Standards Authority and Ofcom. They are also concerned about the digital exclusion faced by some older individuals who lack the necessary skills to access online services. The report points out that nearly 29% of people over 75 do not have internet access at home, compared to only 6% of all adults. Current laws against age discrimination are deemed inadequate, with little enforcement against harmful attitudes towards older people.
Committee chair Sarah Owen, a Labour MP, is urging for a review of the UK’s ageist culture and stronger enforcement measures. She criticizes the lack of progress in updating the digital inclusion strategy over the past decade, calling for more action to address ageism in various areas such as healthcare, local services, and transportation. Owen recommends following Wales’ example by establishing a commissioner for older individuals and community champions to implement a national strategy against age discrimination
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