Key Events to Keep an Eye On

11 June 2025 The UK Westminster Government Spending Review

Fancy supporting a demo just before that ?

For more information about attending the demo on Saturday, 7 June email office@thepeoplesassembly.org.uk or go to The People's Assembly website

The Welsh Senedd Elections to be held by 7 May 2026

NPC Wales is working on an older people’s manifesto for the 2026 Senedd Elections. NPC Wales is not a party-political organisation and is not affiliated to any political party. But we aim to make sure that the political parties and candidates standing in that election are made aware of the views of older people. Our draft manifesto covers:

Fair funding for Wales

Health and social care

Climate change, fuel poverty and housing

Public transport especially buses

Digital exclusion

The need for more public toilets

So if you want to play a part you can e-mail info@npcwales.org or get in touch by post. You can also call 02920 431570 or 07944 996965

Prepayment Meters

NPC welcomes energy firms’ multi-million pay-out for force fitting prepayment meters.

Eight energy providers are to pay £74million in compensation, financial support and debt write-offs for force fitting prepayment meters (PPMs) in the homes of thousands of older and vulnerable people.

Following an investigation, Ofgem the energy industry regulator announced the companies “did not follow the rules when installing PPMs to collect debt without household permission.” 

The eight suppliers have already distributed £55m in financial support, with another £5.6m to be paid in compensation to 40,000 affected customers, who could receive automatic payments starting at £40, and rising to £250 or £500 depending on their cases. A further £13m will be used to write off customer debt.

However, enforcement investigations are continuing for British Gas, Utilita and Ovo, representing tens of thousands more customers.

17/04/2025

NPC Wales supports the campaign for an Older People's Commissioner for England.

Dereck Roberts NPC Wales at the Independent Age and NPC Lobby of Parliament, explaining to Sir Ian Duncan Smith MP the benefits of having an Independent Commissioner for Older People, as we have in Wales.

The recent House of Commons Women and Equalities Committee The rights of older people has warned that ‘widespread’ and ‘culturally embedded’ ageism requires stronger legal protections against age discrimination and a new cross-Government strategy to address the challenges and opportunities posed by the UK’s ageing population.

We’re pleased to say the committee has recommended that the UK Government look into how a Commissioner for Older People and Ageing could work to be a voice for later life, which is a huge step forward.

10/03/2025

NPC Wales has been campaigning over the cut to the Winter Fuel Allowance and joined the Westminster Parliamentary Lobby and demonstration organised by UNITE and NPC on 7 October 2024.

We also wrote to our MPs in Wales and our Members of the Welsh Senedd (MSs) to see if the Welsh Government could provide any winter fuel support funding – the answer was no. The Welsh Government does not have devolved powers for benefit funding (unlike Scotland and Northern Ireland who do).

The cost of living crisis is getting worse for older people with above inflation rises in council tax, cost of accessing broadband, water charges and now with the energy regulator forecasting future big rises in energy costs. Our future campaign is going to have to widen to deal with the cost of living crisis. NPC Wales is now working on a manifesto for 2026.