SIR – I am writing to ask your readers to join Anchor’s Grey Pride Campaign and sign our petition calling for a Minister for Older People to help end the prejudices faced by the elderly.

We hope the Minister would be called upon when the Cabinet discusses such issues as local authority cuts, pensions, funding for care, closure of rural post offices and libraries.

My colleagues and I are passionate about improving the wellbeing of older people and research commissioned by Anchor shows that there is widespread ageism among the 18-24 age group.

The most shocking statistic is that 41 per cent of young people say there are not enough jobs for older people to be in work and they are less productive than younger workers.

There is a Minister for Women and a Minister of State for Children and Families, but as it stands, older people’s issues are scattered throughout various Government departments.

With older people making up 25 per cent of the population, it’s time older people’s voices were heard and prejudices were wiped out.

Please sign our Grey Pride petition at greypride.org.uk, which will be presented to 10 Downing Street later this year.

Thank you for your support.

Gerry Foster, contracts manager, Anchor Trust, Third Floor, Ambler Mill, Cape Street, Bradford BD1 4RP