Older people must have their voices heard by the Fairness Commission

"It's not fair!" It's a common cry from the playground or siblings.

"It's not fair!" It's a common cry from the playground or siblings, to be settled most frequently by teachers or parents.

But now it should be on the lips of all suffering from deprivation and inequality. Why?

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The new Fairness Commission at last gives them a single point of contact. It is set up to listen, and - from their voices - to recommend actions that will form part of the city budgets from 2017 onwards.

There is never enough money to satisfy everyone, definitely not enough for the services we all want. But if the majority stay silent, as is often the case, a louder minority could advance changes that will make matters worse.

Views and opinions will be sought at meetings and online, but the concern is that the housebound, people with mobile difficulty, or those without IT access may be excluded. Let's also facilitate the gathering of views from centres in areas of deprivation - those needing most help. We need their voices as well.

We see the young and the very old as the most vulnerable in our society. Parents want access to good schooling, medical treatment, and safety for their children. Those with very old parents want good-quality care and services for them. Common sense tells us the commission will find that we need better-paid and more jobs, affordable childcare and housing, and decent services for the sick and the elderly.

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There are 5,000 pensioners living in disability and in receipt of an attendance allowance who will have strong views on good and poor practice, so their comments need to be heard.

A high percentage of pensioners have at least one limiting long-term illness. Simple things such as uneven pavements, pedestrian-crossing times, and advertising boards make walking difficult - even with a walking aid. Those with a car find it a struggle walking to the one parking meter if they choose to pay that way. Difficulty getting to shops or events limits their activities and wellbeing.

About 9,000 pensioners in poverty claim Pension Credit and 11,000 claim Council Tax credit, but many who were eligible miss out. Why?

Perhaps many pensioners are living in information poverty as well as fuel and food poverty. How can we boast of a digital Brighton when a large number of the population are still computer illiterate and unable to go online to access the help provided there?

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The cynics will say this commission is yet another cost-cutting exercise, a talking shop where the findings are already being rubber-stamped.

Yet the members are volunteers, independent, and committed to listen, propose changes, and publish their findings.

It will be hard for any administration to ignore the results. Let us at least join in, make sure the disadvantaged are consulted, and commit to see what changes would bring us closer to a fairer and more equal city.

For more information - and to give your views - visit: www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/fairness-commission. Twitter: @FairnessBH

Mike Bojczuk is chair of the Older People's Council. For more information, visit: www.olderpeoplescouncil.org

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