WITHIN 15 years, a third of the population in the Cotswolds will be over 65, a survey has revealed.

The area is already setting a national trend towards living longer and will likely be witnessing an above average increase in numbers of pensioners by 2030.

The national average is expected to be around 22 per cent by 2030 whereas nationally, the percentage of over 65s today is 18 per cent.

Estimates have come from new figures released from the Office of National Statistics. The figures also show that by 2037, five per cent of the population of the UK will be over the age of 85.

Responding to the figures, the older people’s charity Independent Age is calling on local and national government to plan for the big changes that an ageing society will bring. It is already two years since an influential House of Lords Committee said we are “woefully under-prepared” to meet the challenges – and indeed seize the opportunities – presented by population ageing yet Independent Age says too little has been done.

Janet Morrison, Chief Executive of Independent Age said: “If we act now, we can make sure Britain becomes the best place in the world to grow old, with people living longer lives in good health, able to contribute to their areas through longer working and volunteering activity, and remaining in touch with friends, families and communities. We need to start now by having an honest discussion about how we adapt our health and care system to an ageing society – and we how we pay for it.”