An Early Day Motion presented to the House of Commons in support of a Gloucester Citizen campaign had attracted support from 43 MPs.

The paper wants a minister for the elderly - and Gloucester MP Parmjit Dhanda agrees.

He joined the fight after an 88-year-old died just five days after being evicted from the nursing home that had been her home for ten years.

Editor Ian Mean has already written to the Prime Minister saying: "The Citizen's campaign has highlighted the disturbing lack of control elderly people now have over their lives and the fragile nature of the safety net intended to protect them.

"Older people have very real worries about pensions, working for longer and the impact overstretched and often underfunded social services departments have on them."

And now Parmjit's EDM - which MPs sign to voice their support - congratulated the Government for pension increases, winter fuel allowances, free eye tests and other benefits.

But he added: "This House … calls on the Government to create a Minister for Older People to co-ordinate policy and ensure that it meets the needs of elderly people."

The matter has been raised with all 653 MPs and will boost the Citizen's three-month campaign.

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