A charity in Rutland are calling for more to be done to help older people out of poverty
Figures show that 1 in 6 older people In the UK are living in poverty
Rutland's Age UK says complicated forms for benefits can be a barrier for helping older people out of poverty.
It's as figures show that 1 in 6 older people In the UK are living in poverty.
They've paid into a system that was supposed to look after them
Many say the winter fuel payment U-turn alone will not solve the issue and it only puts many older people living on a low income back to where they were a year ago, but facing even higher bills and costs
Tony Donovan from Leicestershire and Rutland's Age UK said:
"Older people have invested heavily into the country, and they've paid into a system that was supposed to look after them from cradle to grave. It doesn't do that now."
"Now they find themselves short of money and short of the essentials in life, and because of that, many of them are experiencing failing health."
"When they come to use us, we can help to see if they're eligible for any benefits because two-thirds of benefits remain unclaimed by older people."
"A lot of them are very proud, so they don't claim, and others don't understand the complexity of the forms."
Now they find themselves short of money and short of the essentials in life
More than a third of the public believe older people are worse off than other people in general when it comes to financial stability and living standards in 2025, with more than three-quarters believing the government has a role to play in addressing older people's poverty.
A Government spokesperson said:
“Thanks to our commitment to the Triple Lock, millions will see their State Pension rise by £1,900 and annual spending on the State Pension will rise by a record £31bn by the end of this Parliament.
“In addition, following the biggest ever campaign to boost Pension Credit take-up, nearly 60,000 extra pensioners are now receiving financial support worth up to £4,300 a year.
“On top of this, nine million pensioners will receive a Winter Fuel Payment this year to support them during the colder months.”