OLDER Scots risk being trapped in poverty, it has been warned.
New research shows that one in five older people in Scotland have a household income of less than £15,000 a year. Of this group, more than one in two have skipped meals, eight in 10 have cut back on heating and almost half have housing costs that are, or are becoming, unaffordable.
The charity Independent Age is now calling on the Scottish Government to create a national strategy to co-ordinate efforts to drive down poverty among pensioners.
It also wants an Older People’s Commissioner for Scotland to be appointed and the UK Government to ensure reserved social security payments are set at an adequate rate.
“Action on pensioner poverty is at risk of stalling, with a generation of older people left trapped in poverty and making dangerous cutbacks as a result,” said Morgan Vine of Independent Age.
“Our latest index shows that in many areas, little progress has been made in the last year, including older people still feeling unrepresented by politicians, being weighed down by mounting costs and not feeling their incomes and the financial support available is enough.
“With an ageing population, it is vital that politicians across the political spectrum recognise the need for dedicated and sustained action to ensure older people living on a low income can live a decent and dignified life.
“This is a golden opportunity for the new Scottish Government to act now, to change the picture and create a much more positive reality for all of us as we age.”
The charity’s findings show that of all the people on a low income of under £15,000 a year, one in five are not aware of Pension Credit and Housing Benefit. Less than half (45%) of older people said they were confident about how to apply for financial benefits.
The research also showed that most older people in Scotland do not feel well represented by political bodies and representatives, particularly the UK Government.
Independent Age wants all political parties to commit to working cross-party to address pensioner poverty, as well as a Warm Homes Programme for older people, to reduce energy bills through improving energy efficiency.
The Scottish Government also needs to improve the social security system and support available to older people in Scotland, according to Independent Age.
