9. Short Debate: Calling for a charter for ‘Dignity in Retirement and the Security of Older People’

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 6:37 pm on 10 January 2018.

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Photo of Suzy Davies Suzy Davies Conservative 6:37, 10 January 2018

One of my concerns about the UNCRC as it has been applied in Wales is that it only binds us here in the Assembly and in the Welsh Government, and we've long called—certainly on this side of the Chamber—for those rights to be enshrined at all levels of public service, including local authorities, and certainly in our health services. So, I don't know whether you've considered, in looking at older people's rights, whether all our public service areas should be obliged to pay due regard to them, not just us here in the Assembly and at Welsh Government level. I reiterate what Janet Finch-Saunders said about the opportunity for the commissioner for older people to be accountable and chosen by us here in this Assembly, rather than by Government, and I also ask you to consider that if we are to be serious about introducing rights, then they must be accompanied by duties that those rights are observed.