Living longer and living differently

The Intergenerational Commission’s book launch for The 100-Year Life by Lynda Gratton and Andrew Scott

Rising life expectancy across Britain is an achievement to be celebrated. But ensuring our country is fit for the changes in how we live, not just for how long, is a challenging task that government, firms and families all struggle to grapple with. To date the focus has often been on ageing and end of life issues, but longevity has implications for all of life and could lead to deep seated social change.

What do Britain’s demographic shifts mean for the social contract between the generations? How might our firms and working patterns adjust to longer working lives? What does the state do to manage the public finances when people pay in and draw down in different ways? Can public service provision – from primary schools to care homes – keep up with our changing needs? What are the biggest future threats that we need to plan for today?

At a Resolution Foundation-hosted event for its Intergenerational Commission, Lynda Gratton and Andrew Scott discussed their new book The 100-Year Life, longlisted for the FT’s business book of the year. The Foundation presented new analysis of the inter-generational challenges raised by the UK’s demographic shifts and George Freeman MP, Chair of the Prime Minister’s Policy Board, discussed what they mean for public policy, followed by an audience Q&A.