The proposals set out in this document are initial practical steps to begin to meet the challenges and opportunities of our ageing society. These proposals are part of a full, formal public consultation and we would welcome views on how we implement these proposals and what more can be done to reach our vision of a society for all ages. We are keen to receive written responses and to hear views at consultation events[make this a link to the events page] taking place across the country in September and October from local government, stakeholders, the voluntary and private sectors and the general public. 

We would be pleased to receive comments on all aspects of the strategy that are of particular interest to you. We are particularly keen to receive your views and suggestions in response to the formal questions set out in the strategy and available in the questionnaire below.

Consultation questions

Complete the online questionnaire

Download the questionnaire [Word 46KB 6 pages]

Consultation arrangements

How to respond

This publication and the consultation response form are available from our website or on request from:

Phone: 0207 449 7203
Email: Age Stakeholder Team

Copies of this publication can be made available in alternative formats if required.

We are sending this consultation document to a large number of people and organisations who
have already been involved in this work or who have expressed an interest. Please do share this document with, or tell us about, anyone you think will want to be involved in this consultation.

The closing date for responses is Monday, 12 October 2009. Please send your consultation responses to:

Email: Ageing Strategy Stakeholder Team
Online: www.hmg.gov.uk/buildingasocietyforallages

When responding, please state whether you are doing so as an individual or representing the views of an organisation. If you are responding on behalf of an organisation, please make it clear who the organisation represents, and where applicable, how the views of members were assembled. We will acknowledge your response.

Queries about the content of this document

Any queries about the subject matter of this consultation should be made to:

Email: Hannah Malik

Alternative ways of being involved in the consultation

We want to ensure that we get views from as broad a range of people as possible about the
issues addressed in this consultation. As well as written responses to the questions we ask in this document, and any other points you would like to make, there will be a number of other ways for you to tell us what you think, including:

• regional and local consultation events; and
• workshops at other events run by Government departments

Details of these consultation events will be available in the events section of the site. You can also email allages@hmg.gsi.gov.uk to be added to our mailing list and kept informed of events.

Freedom of information

The information you send us may need to be passed to colleagues within the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and published in a summary of responses received, and referred to in the published consultation report.

All information contained in your response, including personal information, may be subject to publication or disclosure if requested under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. By providing personal information for the purposes of the public consultation exercise, it is understood that you consent to its disclosure and publication. If this is not the case, you should limit any personal information which is provided, or remove it completely. If you want the information in your response to the consultation to be kept confidential, you should explain why as part of your response, although we cannot guarantee to do this. We cannot guarantee confidentiality of electronic responses even if your IT system claims it automatically.

If you want to find out more about the general principles of Freedom of Information and how it is applied within DWP, please contact:

Email: Charles Cushing or Carol Smith

Please note that Charles and Carol cannot advise on this particular consultation exercise, only on Freedom of Information issues.

More information about the Freedom of Information Act can be found on the website of the Ministry of Justice Freedom of Information pages.

The consultation criteria

The consultation is being conducted in line with the Government Code of Practice on Consultation and its seven consultation criteria, which are as follows:

• When to consult. Formal consultation should take place at a stage when there is scope to
  influence the outcome.
• Duration of consultation exercises. Consultations should normally last for at least 12
  weeks, with consideration given to longer timescales where feasible and sensible.
• Clarity of scope and impact. Consultation documents should be clear about the
  consultation process, what is being proposed, the scope to influence, and the expected costs
  and benefits of the proposals.
• Accessibility of consultation exercises. Consultation exercises should be designed to be
  accessible to, and clearly targeted at, those people the exercise is designed to reach.
• The burden of consultation. Keeping the burden of consultation to a minimum is essential
  if consultations are to be effective and if consultees’ buy-in to the process is to be obtained.
• Responsiveness of consultation exercises. Consultation responses should be analysed
  carefully and clear feedback should be provided to participants following the consultation.
• Capacity to consult. Officials running consultation exercises should seek guidance in how to
  run an effective consultation exercise, and share what they have learned from the experience.
  Feedback on this consultation

We value your feedback on how well we consult. If you have any comments on the process of
this consultation (as opposed to the issues raised), please contact our Consultation Coordinator:

Phone: 01482 609571
Fax: 01482 609658
Email: Roger Pugh

In particular, please tell us if you feel that the consultation does not satisfy the consultation criteria. Please also make any suggestions as to how the process of consultation could be improved further.

If you have any requirements that we need to meet to enable you to comment, please let us know.

A summary of the responses to the consultation will be published by Monday, 7 December 2009.

Many of the policies in this document are devolved in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales with each of the countries having their own ageing or older people strategies. It is the benefit of devolution that the devolved administrations can tailor their policies to meet the specific needs of their countries. We will continue to work closely with the devolved administrations in particular where matters are reserved, whilst recognising the varying responsibilities across the different parts of the United Kingdom and taking opportunities to learn from each other's successes in areas where different approaches have been taken.

http://www.hmg.gov.uk/buildingasocietyforallages/consultation.aspx