To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment she has made of the impact of Government policies on the availability of early-retired people to assist the voluntary sector in future years; and if she will make a statement. (101613)

I have been asked to reply. The Government’s Opportunity Age strategy, published in March 2005 and available online at www.dwp.gov.uk/opportunity_age, sets out a number of programmes to enable older people to play a full and active role in society, including ensuring that they have access to volunteering opportunities locally. Copies have been placed in the Library for the reference of Members.

While no specific information is collected on the availability of early-retired people to assist the voluntary sector, data from the 2005 Citizenship Survey shows that 30 per cent. of those aged 50 to 64 volunteered for a group, club or organisation at least once a month, making this age group among the most active of all volunteers. Specific advice on volunteering opportunities in retirement for the over 50s is available on the Directgov website at:

www.directgov.gov.uk/Over50s/RetirementAndPensions/OpportunitiesInRetirement/fs/en