New research from Independent Age has laid bare the fears of older people in financial hardship as they go into this winter, with research showing that half (50%) of all older people in England on a low income (under £15k per year) are worried about paying for gas and electricity over the next six months. Almost two in five (39%) are worried about how they will pay for food and drink over the same period.

Polling from YouGov on behalf of the charity of older people in England (65+), including 251 on low income (under £15k per year) showed that:

In the last six months to July, over half (52%) struggled from time to time or constantly with paying for food and drink.
In the same period, around half struggled to keep up with their bills for electricity (51%) and gas (49%).
Currently, 55% are cutting back on heating, and 49% are cutting back on social activities like meeting friends
The research has been released alongside the new ‘Two Million Too Many’ report from Independent Age, which details the experiences of older people who attended listening roadshows across the country and who responded to an online and phone call-out.

The report gives voice to older people across the country, shining a light on the stories behind the statistics and includes common themes.

The cost of living

The cost of living was and continues to be extremely difficult for older people on a low-income. With the price of essentials like food and energy, older people living in financial hardship have been forced to make extremely difficult decisions.

Older people told Independent Age they:

Feel they can’t afford to stay warm: “Last winter was bad; I think the next one will be worse. I have COPD and bronchiectasis and should be kept warm. It will be nigh on impossible. (p. 7, online participant). “I’m just managing to keep my head above water but dreading the winter as I only have plug-in electric wall heaters, which are very expensive to run. I heat only one room now when it gets too cold – below 15 degrees is my crunch point – and then only for a couple of hours a day. My flat has mould now.” (Online participant p.7)
Are working well past the State Pension age to afford essentials: “I am 72 years old and working 30 hours per week to keep my home and a car. I live in a village with no shops or public transport.” (P. 14, online roadshow participant). My pension pays for rent and council tax. At 76 I’m having to work part time to pay for food.” (P. 14, online participant).
Are not eating what’s needed to stay healthy: “I’ve cut down on using energy and a bit of food. Fish is quite expensive, so I don’t have much fish.” (p. 6, Tower Hamlets roadshow participant), “I just get whatever’s left over with a yellow sticker” (p6, Telephone focus group participant)

Missing out on support

Social tariffs and financial entitlements such as Pension Credit, are in place for people on a low-income. Although receiving them is not a cure-all, they can make a significant difference to increasing a person’s income and decreasing their expenses. However, a large number of older people eligible for these discounts and entitlements are not receiving them. For example, the most recent UK Government statistics show that up to 1.2 million older people entitled to Pension Credit are not receiving it. Additionally, social tariffs are often a postcode lottery, with what is offered and where, differing by provider.

Older people told Independent Age about:

Not receiving financial entitlements: “With this generation, there’s a stigma around claiming benefits and they’ve always managed to work around it. Fuel poverty is massive, not putting the heating on or using microwaves instead of ovens. People aren’t getting the nutrition, and getting pneumonia is on the rise because people are sitting in the cold.” (p. 12, Sedgefield roadshow professional participant). “If you’re a carer for somebody, you’re tired out, so you think ‘I’ve got to fill that blooming form in when I just want to sleep’.” (p11, Tower Hamlets roadshow participant)
Social tariffs and lack of information: “I got into trouble with my old water company and now I’ve got a county court judgement, and I’ve got to pay that. Now I’ve moved and I found out I could have been on a water social tariff. I owe my old company about £2,000 now but, really, I’ve overpaid them. That debt would be smaller if I knew I could have had that support. No one told me that I could get that; my old water company don’t tell you.” (p.8, Birmingham roadshow participant). “Companies don’t advertise what you’re eligible for. I get a letter once a year and that’s it.” (P. 8, Blackpool roadshow participant)
Joanna Elson CBE, Chief Executive of Independent Age said: “There are around two million older people in poverty. That’s two million too many. Our new report unveils the terrible reality of financial hardship in later life. We are calling on the UK Government to tackle this often hidden issue as a priority.

“It is clear that the cost-of-living crisis has been incredibly challenging for older people on a low income. With people telling us they’ve felt forced to work because they can’t afford to retire, they’re not able to maintain an adequate diet and are not using the heating despite having health conditions that need a warm environment. Many are in debt to energy companies or going through extreme anxiety as they worry how they will make ends meet. Everyone in this situation needs swift action.”

Independent Age recommends:

To address high utility costs, in the short term, utility companies ensure they have social tariffs and discounts to support those on a low income and more proactively promote them, targeting areas of deprivation and all eligible groups, including older people who receive Pension Credit. And in the longer term, the UK Government introduces national social tariffs for both energy (across the UK) and water (in England and Wales).
The UK Government produces a strategic action plan to increase the take-up of social security entitlements, including key benefits older people on a low income are eligible for including Pension Credit, Housing Benefit, Attendance Allowance and Council Tax Reduction.
The UK Government initiates a cross-party process to establish an adequate level of income needed in later life to avoid poverty and puts plans in place to ensure everyone receives it.
The UK Government legislates to create and appoint an independent Commissioner for Older People and Ageing.