Almost two million older people are living in poverty in the UK

Justin Madders, MP for Ellesmere Port and Neston, attended an event in Westminster entitled ‘Pensioner poverty: what the next government should do’, hosted by a cross-party group of MPs on behalf of the charity Independent Age.

Latest Government figures show one in six older people are currently living in poverty and without government intervention, the charity says there is a real risk of a future surge in pensioner poverty. Independent Age’s own analysis revealed that those approaching retirement are struggling financially, with 18 per cent of people aged 60-64 living in deep poverty.  

The event coincided with the launch of the charity’s Two Million Two Many campaign which is calling on all political parties to fix the system that has left too many older people living on the brink.

Independent Age is asking the next government to focus on four key issues. These include establishing an adequate income needed to avoid poverty in later life, providing older people with long-term support so they can pay for essential household goods, improving the private rental sector and amplifying the voices of older people by creating a Commissioner for Older People and Ageing.

Speaking after the event Mr Madders said:

“This event highlighted the many issues that older people in poverty in the UK are facing from money worries to housing issues.

“We all deserve to be able to age well with dignity, which is why we must work together to lift as many older people out of poverty as we can.” 

Joanna Elson CBE, chief executive of Independent Age, said: 

“Too many older people are living in financial hardship and the cost-of-living crisis has decimated budgets up and down the country.

“We are receiving regular heartbreaking calls from older people making dangerous cutbacks, from eating just one meal a day to washing less to save on water.

“By working together, we have a real opportunity to make a difference to the lives of older people in the UK now and in the future.”

Pictured - Justin Madders, MP for Ellesmere Port and Neston.