UK MPs Warn Ageism is Culturally Embedded, Calls for Action

A recent report from the Women and Equalities Committee highlights the pervasive ageism ingrained in UK culture, indicating that age discrimination laws are failing older people. MPs found that negative portrayals in the media, which often depict older individuals as frail or wealthy 'boomers', contribute significantly to the normalization of ageist attitudes. They recommend establishing a commissioner for older people in England, similar to the framework in Wales, to better advocate for this demographic. The report also emphasizes the risks of digital exclusion, urging the government to create offline alternatives for essential services as many older individuals struggle to access online banking and healthcare. The committee calls for a comprehensive review of existing age discrimination laws, highlighting the inadequacies of current protections under the Public Sector Equality Duty. Overall, the report stresses that ageism is often minimized compared to other forms of discrimination, calling for urgent government action to address this issue.