CAMPAIGNING pensioners warned today that ignoring Britain’s ageing population is a “recipe for disaster” and urged the next government to devise a strategy to ensure older voices are heard.

National Pensioners’ Convention general secretary Jan Shortt said without urgent action there will be “massive issues to solve.”

One in four Brits will be over the age of 65 within the next 20 years, according to Age UK.

Ms Shortt highlighted that there are already 2.1 million older people living in poverty and millions more waiting for healthcare and NHS treatment.

She stressed the need for a properly funded NHS, National Care Service, dependable public transport and an end to digital exclusion. 

The NPC leader also highlighted the need for decent pensions, which should amount to 70 per cent of the living wage, as part of a raft of policies that “will provide dignity and security for everybody, and particularly those in later life.”

Ms Shortt urged the appointment of independent commissioners for older people in England and Scotland ”to bring all this together into a holistic, UK-wide strategy for ageing.”