Colin Smyth MSP’s Older People’s Commissioner Bill would allow a dedicated commissioner in Scotland to be established to ensure the voices of people in later life are heard.

The Commissioner would have the power to hold public bodies to account and take up issues on behalf of older people including carrying out inquiries into the adequacy of services for older people.

The independent commissioner would also have a key role to tackle age discrimination and ageism across Scottish society.

At present children and young people have standalone commissioners in each of the four nations of the UK, including Scotland, while Wales and Northern Ireland have commissioners for the older people.