Experts warn creaking social care system will not cope with growing pensioner numbers in Mansfield and Ashfield

The proportion of pensioners to working age people in Mansfield and Ashfield will jump in the coming years, according to new figures.
The pensioner population is set to rise in Mansfield and Ashfield over the coming years.The pensioner population is set to rise in Mansfield and Ashfield over the coming years.
The pensioner population is set to rise in Mansfield and Ashfield over the coming years.

Economic experts say higher taxes or lower spending will be needed to cope with the cost of the UK's ageing population.

By 2026 there’ll be 327 people in Mansfield, and 323 in Ashfield, of state pension age for every 1,000 still working.

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The ratio, produced by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), takes into account migration from overseas and other parts of the UK, based on trends for the past ten years.

Previous projections show the current rate is 206 for Mansfield and 302 for Ashfield.

The new figures take account of the gradual increase in the retirement age introduced by the Government.

By 2026 it will reach 67.

David Sturrock, research economist at the Institute for Fiscal Studies, said the ratio provided a useful measure for the pressure an ageing population will place on society.

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He said: "We think there needs to be some response to demographic pressures, either through spending reduction, tax rises, or some combination of both.

"Some steps have been made, such as raising the state pension age, but on current trends the ageing population will continue to grow, and it will demand action from politicians."

According to the main population projections done by the ONS there are currently 20,679 people of pension age in Mansfield and 68,374 of working age.

In Ashfield, there are currently 24,186 people of pension age and 79,101 of working age.

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Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, said: "Many will be surprised by how much older people contribute to society including a great deal of knowledge, skill and energy.

"Whether they are volunteers, informal carers or paid employees, many are redefining what it means to be ‘an older person'.

And she warned: "Our creaking social care system has been chronically underfunded for years and will simply not be able to cope with the extra demand that an ageing population will bring unless substantial funding is found.

“We also need to create age friendly communities that offer a good quality of life across the generations, by designing environments that are safe and pleasant to live in, with good local facilities and open spaces.

"If we can get this right it will help to sustain the health, well-being and quality of life for everyone, regardless of age.”