UP COMING SCEES NEWS
The final conference for the Securing Care for Ethnic Elders in Scotland (SCEES) project is to be held on the 19th of September 2008. Please keep watch for further details.
PRIAE launches Policy Forum on Ageing and Ethnicity and its latest report Ageing and ethnic diversity in the UK: A Policy Digest
On 31st March 2008 PRIAE formally launched its Policy Forum on Ageing and Ethnicity. The Policy Forum is bringing together policymakers, BME elders, voluntary organisations and a range of stakeholders to develop innovative solutions to some of the key policy challenges affecting BME elders.
PRIAE was also delighted to launch its latest report, Ageing and ethnic diversity in the UK: A Policy Digest. The Policy Digest collates information on issues and policies affecting BME elders and highlights key forthcoming challenges for policymakers and practitioners.
To place an order for the Policy Digest please click HERE to download the pdf version of the order form.
PRIAE supports House of Lords amendment to the Pensions Bill
Last Wednesday 4th July 2007 an amendment to the Pensions Bill was passed in the Lords which allows people at any point in their working lives to buy back up to nine years of lost National Insurance contributions.
PRIAE, as the leading international specialist organisation on ageing and ethnicity, considers this to be a highly significant development. This amendment was voted for by PRIAE’s Chair Lord Herman Ouseley and Vice Chair Lord Navnit Dholakia OBE. PRIAE welcomes further support for this amendment and the Pensions Bill as it reaches the Commons.
PRIAE has written extensively on the need for greater flexibility in the contributory system and a better provision for individuals to be able to ‘buy back’ missing years in National Insurance contributions. Many minority ethnic women and men elders in the UK, as well as majority women and carers, have been placed at a disadvantage through the current contributory system. This is because the pension system has not adequately provided for individuals - particularly women - ethnic minorities - who have had a shorter working life in the UK, due to migration, caring responsibilities or unemployment. This amendment is an important tool in the fight against poverty and promotion of dignity and improved quality of life in old age. However much still needs to be done to help current and future generations of elders, to ensure that they do not get trapped in the cycle of disadvantage in their old age. Such measures could include
- increasing the take-up of Pension Credit
- developing an equitable personal pension system
- proactive programme of pension information & communication tailor made for minority ethnic elders and families
- tackling inequalities in the workplace and
- better life-long learning and work-life balance, particularly as the State Pension age increases.
PRIAE urges the implementation of such measures which address the unacceptably high level of poverty experienced by today's minority ethnic elders. Moreover they tackle the persistent cycle of disadvantage to benefit future generations of elders.
Latest News
- Advisory Group Chair (South) for the Minority Ethnic Elders' Policy Network, Mr M A Khan Lodhi, was invited to speak on BME elder issues at the Deputy Leadership (London) meeting. Ian Smith, Information and Policy Manager, said: 'such participation is important in communicating key issues regarding BME elders and the progress PRIAE is making in policy involvement - a key to the success of our project of which Mr Lodhi is a Chair together with many other members. As part of the regular consultative engagement, PRIAE has just submitted a response to the pre-strategy document to the National Strategy for Housing in an Ageing Society produced by the Department for Communities and Local Government. Click here to download.
- SCEES Securing Care for Ethnic Elders in Scotland is progressing an exciting programme of work in active ageing, long-term conditions (health); and end of life/palliative care with Carrie Ho managing the project, supported by PRIAE Trustee, Professor Sashidharan.
- PRIAE is producing a guide for nursing staff on dignity in care commissioned by Help the Aged.
- PALCOPE Palliative Care team Dr Yasmin Gunaratnam and Neera Deepak will be running workshops with elders and professionals.
- PRIAE has commissioned Shirley Thompson to produce its first dedicated song to elders which will be featured in its film, Progressing Policy with Passion, narrated by Jon Snow, Ch4 Broadcaster.
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Watch out for 'Mental Health Guide from Elders' Perspectives' and Active Ageing work across different old age groups, cultures and with women and men.
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The MEE Research Project supported by Manchester City Council is underway with the professionals' survey, following a one day event with fieldworkers. PRIAE Research Kathryn Watson said 'we hope that the professionals during this important phase will complete the e-questionnaire rapidly so that we can analyse the results comparing elders and professionals on a range of quality health care issues'.
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On 18th April 2007 PRIAE joined the Mass Lobby for Age Equality at Westminster and ensured that BME elders were given the opportunity to lobby their MPs demand an end to all forms of age discrimination.
- PRIAE Director Professor Naina Patel was a plenary speaker at IAHSA's 7th International Conference in Malta 17-21 June 2007.
Lord Karan Bilimoria hosted PRIAE's research study launch into the contribution of ethnic minority employees in small and medium sized enterprises (CEMESME) on Thursday 8th Febraury 2007 at the House of Lords. Click here to download the CEMESME research report and press release.
Reporting on the CEMESME research findings, The Financial Times (20th February 2007) states:
‘The value of multicultural workplaces is disputed by most businesses, according to research by a think-tank based on interviews with almost 300 small and medium enterprises.
The CBI-backed survey by the Policy Research institute on Ageing and Ethnicity - the largest to chart business views on this issue – found that while a third agreed that ethnic diversity contributed to performance, slightly more disagreed.’
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/beee7058-c087-11db-995a-000b5df10621.html
The CEMESME Research results were also covered by Yorkshire Post (15th February 2007) and The Daily Telegraph (21st February 2007).
The CEMESME team Ahsan Malik as co-ordinator and Akja Karajakulova, Research Officer, contributed to the transnational developments in Slovakia.
The second regional conference of the Minority Ethnic Elders' Policy Network (for the South of England) was held on Wednesday 7th Febraury 2007 at Central Hall, Westminster. Click below to download the conference programme.
Described by one delegate as 'a model of good practice and excellent planning and coordination', a film of the conference will be available to view from this site soon.
PRIAE's Minority Ethnic Elders' Policy Network Conference for the North of England took place at Leeds Town Hall on Monday 11th December 2006 10.00 - 16.30. The conference was free and was of interest to black and minority ethnic elders, age organisations, policymakers and commissioners. Click below to download the conference programme.
The following PRIAE films were shown on the Community Channel week of 25th September 2006
- Progressing Policy with Passion (see link to Video Clip below)
- Playing Our Part After 50
- Dementia Matters Ethnic Concerns
PRIAE – supported by The Media Trust film, shown on the Community Channel week of 4th June 2006
PRIAE works with the whole spectrum of European society, from families and volunteers to governments themselves, in highlighting the problems faced by BME elders with pensions, housing, healthcare and social welfare. In conjunction with The Media Trust and MoveAMountain, PRIAE has made a film with Channel 4's Jon Snow showcasing its work in the UK and thoughts for the future.
The Soul of the House
is what is important in care provision says PRIAE in its newly launched report on Extra Care Housing for the Department of Health Change Agent Team.
Click here to download the report - (261kb Adobe Acrobat PDF)
 Listen to PRIAE discuss care homes
Naina Patel appeared on the Radio 4 programme 'You and Yours'
Woman’s Hour - Channel 4 News
PRIAE in Europe - (395kb Adobe Acrobat PDF)
Largest research undertaken
UK Pensions Minister Stephen Timm’s launched the UK Summary results from the MEC Research as part of PRIAE’s national health and care conference at QEII Conference Centre.
PRIAE successfully launched the results from Europe's largest research called MEC, Minority Elderly Care on minority elders' health and social care, in ten countries, at the European Parliament, 9th December 2004. Claude Moraes MEP, Lord Dholakia, Naina Patel and Kathryn Watson from PRIAE with country partners (Spain, Netherlands, Germany, France, Switzerland and UK) made specific presentations. Claude Moraes MEP launched the report and Stephen Hughes MEP met the UK elders and managers giving a parliamentary tour and speaking to them.
PRIAE MEC Summary Europe - (140kb Adobe Acrobat PDF)
PRIAE MEC Summary UK - (390kb Adobe Acrobat PDF)
PRIAE MEC Country Profile Booklet - (154kb Adobe Acrobat PDF)
CEMESME (Contribution of Ethnic Minorities in Small & Medium Sized Enterprises) project at PRIAE is working fast with European partners to produce a CD Rom to encourage diversity and employment of minorities.
CEMESME Flyer - (1.5Mb Adobe Acrobat PDF)
Pensions and Older Women from Ethnic Minorities in the UK
PRIAE – the leading body working in the field of ageing and ethnicity in the UK and Europe – has produced an important report concentrating on securing financial well-being for ethnic minority women over the age of 40 in Britain.
Click here to view the report
Web intro Commission for Equality and Human Rights (Single Equality Body)
PRIAE continues to contribute to the Age Reference Group and Dr Ranjit Arora representing PRIAE is a leading contributor to the group, bringing the Institute’s specific expertise of applied double discrimination
The PRIAE Response to the UK Government White Paper ‘Fairness for All’: A New Commission for Equality and Human Rights’ was submitted to the Department of Trade and Industry in August 2004. We were concerned that the introduction of such an Equality Body would lead to the sidelining of age and race discrimination through insufficient priority and resources being given to age and multiple-discrimination targeted at BME elders. http://www.ethnicdiversityinemployment.net/
PRIAE comments on the Chancellor’s March Budget 2006
the Wanless Report, Pensions Report from the Turner Commission and sends consultation response to the EC on its Green Paper on Obesity and Physical Activity.
Download the response Budget 2006 - (32kb Adobe Acrobat PDF)
Download the response Wanless Report - (98kb Adobe Acrobat PDF)
Download the response Pension Report - (143kb Adobe Acrobat PDF)
Download the response to EC Green Paper - (370kb Adobe Acrobat PDF) |
PRIAE publishes materials for BME elders, professionals, policymakers, teachers and students.
