Sets out the range of problems that older people face in winter, looking specifically at fuel poverty, winter health and excess winter deaths. It focuses on the challenges faced by older people living in rural communities, including those of older residents of park homes. The document also examines specific problems with the energy market, such as understanding fuel bills and tariffs, costs for non-direct debit customers, prepayment meters and the Green Deal. It concludes that an ambitious energy efficiency programme to bring all housing up to standard is the only long-term solution to fuel poverty and winter health problems.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Sets out the range of problems that older people face in winter, looking specifically at fuel poverty, winter health and excess winter deaths. It focuses on the challenges faced by older people living in rural communities, including those of older residents of park homes. The document also examines specific problems with the energy market, such as understanding fuel bills and tariffs, costs for non-direct debit customers, prepayment meters and the Green Deal. It concludes that an ambitious energy efficiency programme to bring all housing up to standard is the only long-term solution to fuel poverty and winter health problems.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
older people, housing conditions, poverty, home improvements;
This briefing looks at levels of pensioner poverty in the UK, changes over time, groups at greatest risk and considers what life is like for older people living on a low income. Key points include: although poverty levels are lower than they were 20 years ago, the latest figures show 2.1 million (18 per cent) of pensioners in the UK live in poverty; rates have risen since 2013-14 when 1.6 million (14 per cent) lived in poverty; some groups are at particular risk – 38 per cent of private tenants and 36 per cent of social rented sector tenants, live in poverty compared to 14 per cent of older people who own their home outright and 33 per cent of Asian or Asian British pensioners and 30 per cent of Black or Black British pensioners, are in poverty compared to 16 per cent of White pensioners; financial disadvantage is not just about income coming in – it is harder to manage on a modest income when people have extra costs, for example due to disability or care needs or if heating bills are high because they live in a cold, poorly insulated home; the Government should set out a clear reform programme, in partnership with third sector organisations and others, to abolish poverty in later life; in an ideal world, the State Pension system should provide an income sufficient to cover basic needs, and everyone would have opportunities to build up additional private incomes which would allow a comfortable retirement; however, there is a long way to go to achieve this aim and, in the meantime, far more needs to be done to increase the take-up of benefit entitlements.
(Edited publisher abstract)
This briefing looks at levels of pensioner poverty in the UK, changes over time, groups at greatest risk and considers what life is like for older people living on a low income. Key points include: although poverty levels are lower than they were 20 years ago, the latest figures show 2.1 million (18 per cent) of pensioners in the UK live in poverty; rates have risen since 2013-14 when 1.6 million (14 per cent) lived in poverty; some groups are at particular risk – 38 per cent of private tenants and 36 per cent of social rented sector tenants, live in poverty compared to 14 per cent of older people who own their home outright and 33 per cent of Asian or Asian British pensioners and 30 per cent of Black or Black British pensioners, are in poverty compared to 16 per cent of White pensioners; financial disadvantage is not just about income coming in – it is harder to manage on a modest income when people have extra costs, for example due to disability or care needs or if heating bills are high because they live in a cold, poorly insulated home; the Government should set out a clear reform programme, in partnership with third sector organisations and others, to abolish poverty in later life; in an ideal world, the State Pension system should provide an income sufficient to cover basic needs, and everyone would have opportunities to build up additional private incomes which would allow a comfortable retirement; however, there is a long way to go to achieve this aim and, in the meantime, far more needs to be done to increase the take-up of benefit entitlements.
(Edited publisher abstract)
This paper sets out the latest figures on older people’s benefit take-up, looks at reasons for non-take up, and ways to address this problem. Key points; nearly a million pensioner households are entitled to, but not receiving, Pension Credit and 200,000 households are missing out on help with rent through Housing Benefit. In a single year £2.2 billion of these two benefits goes unclaimed; there are a range of inter-related reasons why people do not claim their entitlements including lack of awareness, an assumption that they would not be entitled to help, a concern that the process will be complicated, a reluctance to provide personal information, and negative attitudes about receiving benefits or asking for help; people may claim support after a change in circumstances or due to encouragement from friends, family, professionals, or advice organisations; ongoing publicity is needed, but it is also important that information is taken out to places where people are and that those in contact with older people, such as trusted health professionals, help identify those in need, encourage them to check entitlements, and refer them to appropriate support; information and advice services need the resources to provide benefit checks and to give people practical help with the process of claiming where necessary; the Government should do more to ensure that people receive their entitlements through ongoing national publicity and by exploring ways to improve the systems; ideally people would not need to rely on means-tested benefits to top up their income. However, currently they provide vital support for nearly a quarter of pensioner households, and more needs to be done to reach those who are missing out on support due.
(Edited publisher abstract)
This paper sets out the latest figures on older people’s benefit take-up, looks at reasons for non-take up, and ways to address this problem. Key points; nearly a million pensioner households are entitled to, but not receiving, Pension Credit and 200,000 households are missing out on help with rent through Housing Benefit. In a single year £2.2 billion of these two benefits goes unclaimed; there are a range of inter-related reasons why people do not claim their entitlements including lack of awareness, an assumption that they would not be entitled to help, a concern that the process will be complicated, a reluctance to provide personal information, and negative attitudes about receiving benefits or asking for help; people may claim support after a change in circumstances or due to encouragement from friends, family, professionals, or advice organisations; ongoing publicity is needed, but it is also important that information is taken out to places where people are and that those in contact with older people, such as trusted health professionals, help identify those in need, encourage them to check entitlements, and refer them to appropriate support; information and advice services need the resources to provide benefit checks and to give people practical help with the process of claiming where necessary; the Government should do more to ensure that people receive their entitlements through ongoing national publicity and by exploring ways to improve the systems; ideally people would not need to rely on means-tested benefits to top up their income. However, currently they provide vital support for nearly a quarter of pensioner households, and more needs to be done to reach those who are missing out on support due.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
low income, benefits, older people, social welfare, poverty, inequalities;
This briefing provides a summary of statistics and research on different financial circumstances and shows the disadvantages that some minority ethnic groups face. Key points include: older people from Black and Asian ethnic groups are around twice as likely to be living in poverty as White pensioners; older minority ethnic groups have lower average incomes, are more likely to receive means-tested benefits, and less likely to receive private pensions; ethnic groups who are most at risk of low retirement income tend to have lower employment rates, higher levels of part-time working, and lower levels of pay on average; messages and support targeted specifically at minority ethnic groups from trusted contacts and groups could help encourage older people to claim entitlements; going forward, to reduce income gaps in retirement, there needs to be improved employment opportunities for people from minority ethnic groups and better access to private pensions; Age UK continues to support automatic enrolment, but this should be strengthened, for example, by reducing the minimum earnings threshold and extending the system so contributions are based on full salary, rather than just band earnings.
(Edited publisher abstract)
This briefing provides a summary of statistics and research on different financial circumstances and shows the disadvantages that some minority ethnic groups face. Key points include: older people from Black and Asian ethnic groups are around twice as likely to be living in poverty as White pensioners; older minority ethnic groups have lower average incomes, are more likely to receive means-tested benefits, and less likely to receive private pensions; ethnic groups who are most at risk of low retirement income tend to have lower employment rates, higher levels of part-time working, and lower levels of pay on average; messages and support targeted specifically at minority ethnic groups from trusted contacts and groups could help encourage older people to claim entitlements; going forward, to reduce income gaps in retirement, there needs to be improved employment opportunities for people from minority ethnic groups and better access to private pensions; Age UK continues to support automatic enrolment, but this should be strengthened, for example, by reducing the minimum earnings threshold and extending the system so contributions are based on full salary, rather than just band earnings.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
ethnicity, black and minority ethnic people, inequalities, poverty, older people, personal finance, low income;
This report estimates the numbers of older people living with ill health, poverty, unmet needs for care and support, loneliness, social isolation and poor housing in England. It also collates findings from qualitative studies to provide insights from older people’s own voices about the experience of living with these different needs. The report estimates that there are up to 5.9 million people aged 65 and over living with need. Analysis of the qualitative studies found the main areas of struggle in life for older people are ill health with associated disability and restricted mobility, lack of help with everyday activities, money, problems associated with home and housing, loneliness and social isolation.
(Edited publisher abstract)
This report estimates the numbers of older people living with ill health, poverty, unmet needs for care and support, loneliness, social isolation and poor housing in England. It also collates findings from qualitative studies to provide insights from older people’s own voices about the experience of living with these different needs. The report estimates that there are up to 5.9 million people aged 65 and over living with need. Analysis of the qualitative studies found the main areas of struggle in life for older people are ill health with associated disability and restricted mobility, lack of help with everyday activities, money, problems associated with home and housing, loneliness and social isolation.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
older people, needs, user views, unmet need, poverty, loneliness, social isolation, housing conditions, health needs;
Age UK calls for all levels of government to take action to: rural proof policies and services; support community participation; and target social isolation. This report draws attention to the problems older people have in access to health, social care and other services resulting from reductions in scheduled bus services. While older people living in rural areas enjoy better health than those living in urban areas, they can also face difficulties in accessing health and social care services due to distance, poor transport provision, and poor service integration. The report identifies other problems faced by older people living in rural areas: fuel poverty; broadband access; poverty and social exclusion; and loneliness and social isolation. For each of the topics covered, key facts, case studies and good practice examples are presented.
(Original abstract)
Age UK calls for all levels of government to take action to: rural proof policies and services; support community participation; and target social isolation. This report draws attention to the problems older people have in access to health, social care and other services resulting from reductions in scheduled bus services. While older people living in rural areas enjoy better health than those living in urban areas, they can also face difficulties in accessing health and social care services due to distance, poor transport provision, and poor service integration. The report identifies other problems faced by older people living in rural areas: fuel poverty; broadband access; poverty and social exclusion; and loneliness and social isolation. For each of the topics covered, key facts, case studies and good practice examples are presented.
(Original abstract)
Subject terms:
rural areas, transport, health care, social care, poverty, internet, loneliness, social isolation, local government, older people;