This Library Note provides background reading in advance of the debate to be held on 14 December 2012 on the place and contribution of older people in society.
Debate on 14 December: Older People (393KB PDF)
This Library Note provides background reading in advance of the debate to be held on 14 December 2012 on the place and contribution of older people in society. This Library Note considers what is meant by the term ‘older people’ and which age groups it covers. It then presents three examples of areas in society where older people make a contribution: in the workforce, the role they play in their communities and as providers of childcare. The Note concludes by considering the suggestion that the Government should appoint a Minister for Older People.
Debate on 14 December: Older People (393KB PDF)
The Local Plans (Burial Space) Bill [HL] is a private member’s bill introduced by Lord Mohammed of Tinsley (Liberal Democrat). The bill would establish a duty for local planning authorities in England to ensure adequate burial ground space is provided in their local area. It would also require them to set out plans for how they intend to address any shortfall in burial ground capacity.
![Local Plans (Burial Space) Bill [HL]: HL Bill 8 of session 2026–27](https://lordslibrary-parliament.studio24.dev/content/uploads/sites/2/2020/09/Communities-1-568x426.png)
In January 2026, the government announced a new scheme to support urgent repairs and essential improvements to listed places of worship. Called the ‘Places of worship renewal fund for England’, it replaced the ‘Listed places of worship grant scheme’ which had run since 2001. This briefing provides an overview of both schemes, the government’s reasoning for the change and the reaction of stakeholders.
There have been big differences in expenditure across different forms of healthcare for a number of years. In 2024/25, spending on acute care was £74.7bn, compared to £14.5bn on primary care and £13.8bn on community services. Both the 2024 Labour Party manifesto and the subsequent 10 year health plan for England contained an emphasis on shifting towards more care being delivered in local communities rather than in acute settings, dubbed a ‘neighbourhood health service’.
