North-south divide in internet use amongst over 65s
North-south divide in internet use amongst over 65s
New data from Age UK reveals a north-south divide amongst older people when it comes to using the internet, with those aged 65 and over in the south of England generally more likely to be online compared to those in the north.
Older people in Tyne and Wear are the least likely in England to be online, where only 28% of people aged 65 and over report using the internet.
Meanwhile older people in Surrey are the most likely to be online, where 63% of people aged 65 and over report using the internet.
ITea & Biscuits Week
The research, which comes at the start of the our annual ITea and Biscuits Week, also reveals that there are only 4 areas in England where the percentage of older people online, outnumber those who are offline.
This week Age UK is running ITea and Biscuits Week to enable people who have never been online to try out technology for themselves.
Carers should travel free, say MPs
Press Association – 9 hours ago
The Transport Select Committee called on the Government to try to amend European Union regulations so carers fly free of charge
Carers should be able to fly for free if an airline requires them to travel with the disabled people they look after, a group of MPs have said.
The Transport Select Committee called on the Government to try to amend European Union regulations so carers fly free of charge if an airline requires them to be present because the person they look after cannot perform an emergency procedure alone.
Describing access to transport for disabled people as “unacceptably poor”, the committee said the Department for Transport (DfT) was watering down or abandoning key accessibility improvements and losing the momentum that followed last year’s Paralympic Games in London.
Reforms to train all bus drivers in disability awareness, require train operators to bring in “organised assistance” for disabled people as standard, and introduce financial incentives to ensure all taxis and private hire vehicles are fully accessible within 10 years were also among the committee’s recommendations.
Personal budgets mooted for mental health
Personal budgets mooted for mental health
Care minister Norman Lamb has said he would like to see mental health patients being given personal budgets to pay for care.
Speaking at the Liberal Democrat conference in Glasgow, Mr Lamb said: “I would like to move to a ‘right to have’ in relation to a personal budget and to extend it to mental health; giving individuals control over their health.
“You hear stories of how people used to go in and out of hospital and care constantly falling down.
“When they take control their wellbeing improves and they can stop the revolving door and improve their whole experience.”
