THE number of older people living in Enfield will surge by 30 per cent over the next 20 years, new figures have shown.

Nationally, by 2031, there will be 16.9 million residents aged over 65, compared to 13.1m now, according to the Office of National Statistics.

Enfield currently has the eighth highest number of pensioners in London. The average is 11 per cent, which will rise to 14 per cent in 20 years.

London boroughs predicted to have the highest percentage of people aged over 65 in 2031 are Bexley, Bromley, Havering and Sutton.

This trend builds on a life expectancy increase of 40 per cent over the last 25 years.

When the state pension sge was set in 1940, life expectancy was 72 years. It is now 89 years for men and 90 for women.

Monty Meth, 84, spokesman for the Enfield Over 50s Forum, said older people were finally getting the recognition they deserved, both locally and nationally.

He said: "Looking back to the first older person's conference I chaired in 2006, I can truthfully say that I no longer feel we are outlaws banging at the door demanding to be heard and listened to.

"I can never remember a time when the problems of older people were so high on the national and Government agenda.

"At long last everyone recognises we are living in an ageing society - not just in this country, but across the world."

Mr Meth said the borough's increasing focus on older people could be seen in its decision to improve pavement repair services, to move people from residential care to home care, to extend the community toilet scheme and to emphasise healthy living.

He added: "Our task today is to make sure that it remains high up on the agenda of our decision makers, despite the threat of big cuts in grants and funding."

To address the nation's rising life expectancy, the Government has proposed increasing the state pension age of men to 66 by 2016.

The age for women is already gradually being increased from 60 to 65 by 2020.

The Government is also considering how to phase out the default retirement age, so that people can no longer be forced to stop working at 65.

Pensions minister Steve Webb said: “We cannot ignore our ageing society. We must harness the skills and experience of our older generations. We must also provide the right support.

"We are making changes to reinvigorate a culture of saving and will ensure that when you get your state pension it provides a proper foundation.”

But the National Pensioners Convention criticised the plans, saying it was about "cutting costs and making the poorest pay the price".

General secretary Dot Gibson said: "There can be no doubt that the wealthier you are, the longer you live, so raising the retirement age is a direct attack on the very poorest in our society.

"There is a myth that we are all living healthier lives for longer and very little evidence that there are sufficient jobs around for everyone to keep working."