A leading campaign group, Silver Voices, has accused the Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) of neglecting the rights of elderly Britons while focusing on race and transgender issues. Silver Voices alleges that the EHRC, which is tasked with enforcing the Equality Act 2010, is ignoring age discrimination, particularly within the National Health Service (NHS).
Dennis Reed, Director of Silver Voices, has voiced concerns about institutional ageism, citing specific policies on cancer screening and shingles vaccinations that ostensibly contravene the Equality Act. Despite submitting a compliance complaint backed by a petition with over 100,000 signatures, Silver Voices has seen no concrete action from the EHRC. Further complaints regarding shingles vaccinations have similarly received no response.
Silver Voices is calling on the government to review the EHRC’s effectiveness and value for money, pointing out that the agency operates with an £18 million annual budget. In response, an EHRC spokesperson stated that they handle numerous complaints weekly and prioritize equality for all. An NHS England spokesperson emphasized that NHS staff prioritize clinical need and patient care, following expert guidance on vaccine eligibility and screening.