Question to the Department for International Development:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps she is taking to ensure that the problem of rising health costs, in part owing to ageing populations, is addressed in the Sustainable Development Goals.

Countries will need stronger health systems if they are to be able to meet the diverse needs of an ageing population and we are working with them to encourage investment in cost-effective solutions to these challenges. We have supported the inclusion of Universal Health Coverage as a target in a post 2015 framework, the aim of which is to ensure that all people obtain the health services they need without suffering financial hardship when paying for them. This includes the elderly.