LIZ LYNNE MEP TO DEBATE HOW ELDER ABUSE IS TACKLED

1.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 13th Sep 2007

One of the European Parliament's leading campaigners on ageing issues is hosting a debate next Monday involving senior representatives from age charities and the care industry association on the emotive subject of elder abuse.

Liberal Democrat MEP Liz Lynne, Co-chair of the European Parliament's Intergroup on Ageing, will host Ryan Sampson, Assistant Director of Age Concern England and Paul Cann, Director of Policy and External Relations at Help the Aged. A director of the National Care Association, industry body of the independent care sector, is also expected to be in attendance.

Liz said:

"I am delighted that such distinguished experts on ageing issues are able to join me on the panel next week."

"This is clearly an issue where more debate is needed. There have been legislative steps forward in recent years but we cannot escape the fact that compared to child abuse, the UK is decades behind in attention to elder abuse."

In recent years it has emerged that a suspected half a million older people in the UK suffer abuse or neglect and in 80% of cases the abuser is known to the victim.

Liz added:

"More needs to be done urgently to end physical, financial, emotional and other forms of abuse regularly suffered by elderly people. I hope that we will all learn from this debate and I shall continue to raise such issues at EU level until a better level of protection is attained."

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

The debate will take place as part of the fringe of the Liberal Democrat Autumn conference on Monday 17th September, at the Thistle Hotel in Brighton from 13.00-14.00. Refreshments will be provided and conference or security passes are necessary for entry.

Liz Lynne is Co-chair of the European Parliament's Intergroup on Ageing, Vice-President of the European Parliament's Employment and Social Welfare Committee and the rapporteur on the 2007 Report on Social Protection and Social Inclusion.

Liz Lynne has tabled several parliamentary questions on the subject of ageing.

On World Elder Abuse Day, 15th June 2006, Liz Lynne held a conference at the European Parliament with UK Charity Age Concern.

For further information on the organisations taking part:

National Care Association: http://www.nca.gb.com/

Age Concern: http://www.ageconcern.org.uk/

Help the Aged: http://www.helptheaged.org.uk/en-gb