Politicians join academics at event to shape policy on housing and ageing

Academics from the University of Stirling are today joined by UK politicians at a milestone event to discuss future policy on housing and ageing.

Kevin Stewart MSP, Minister for Local Government and Housing in Scotland, and Rebecca Evans AM, Minister for Housing and Regeneration in Wales, were invited to address the one-day conference in Edinburgh, organised by Stirling’s Head of Housing Dr Vikki McCall.

Dr Vikki McCall

Experts from Scotland, England and Wales will compare experiences on a national level, before creating a set of recommendations for the UK, Scottish and Welsh Governments that support policy and practice in the future.

As part of the event, they will also take part in a bespoke ‘Serious Game’ created by professional game developer Jim Wallman to allow for in-depth debate and discussion around housing and ageing priorities.

The conference, organised by the University of Stirling in partnership with the Universities of Dundee and Heriot-Watt, follows two previous workshops involving practitioners and stakeholders.

Kevin Stewart MSP, Scottish Government Minister for Local Government and Housing

The series of events were funded by the Scottish Universities Insight Institute and Social Policy Association with the aim of enabling effective planning for housing and ageing in Scotland for 2030.

Professor Judith Phillips, Deputy Principal (Research) at the University of Stirling, said: “Housing and ageing are big challenges for the future and it is vital we gain an understanding of how they are being delivered and experienced by older people across Britain, in order to take forward best practice.

“By bringing together Scottish, Welsh and English policy makers, we will be able to gather insights from existing approaches and foster UK-wide collaboration.”

Professor Judith Phillips

The evidence collated from the three workshops will be shared with housing and ageing organisations and people working in the housing and health sectors in Scotland, England and Wales, at a conference on Monday 2 July.