Age Scotland welcomes recommendation for pensioner poverty strategy
Age Scotland has welcomed the recommendations made by the UK Parliament’s Work and Pensions Committee published today which urges the UK Government to commit to a UK-wide strategy for an ageing society, including a national pensioner poverty strategy.
Adam Stachura, Age Scotland’s policy director who gave evidence to the Work and Pensions Committee inquiry said:
“This report should focus the minds of governments across the UK. They each have a significant stake in reducing pensioner poverty but there isn’t a joined-up approach and there lacks any coherent individual plans of action.
"The Work and Pensions Committee has rightly highlighted that urgent action is required, and their range of recommendations could help lift more people out of poverty and reduce the chances of falling into it in the first place. We've been worried about the high number of Scottish pensioners on very low income but just above the Pension Credit threshold, so the UK Government should give strong consideration to the committee's recommendation for a taper on this benefit and decide on what is needed for a dignified retirement and provide for it.
“For many years we have been calling on the Scottish Government to develop their own pensioner poverty strategy and to work together with the UK Government to promote the uptake of vital social security such as Pension Credit.
“It’s shocking that one in six pensioners in Scotland live in poverty, and it has remained stubbornly high for years with no sign of things getting better for those who are struggling.
“Persistent failure to tackle the issue is not only damaging the lives those affected today, but is responsible for a looming crisis of older people on low incomes who will likely require increased health and social care as a result of living in poverty and battling the challenges of financial insecurity.
“It is about time we saw some progress. A national strategy to tackle pensioner poverty would be a step in the right direction and show those experiencing poverty that they haven’t been forgotten.
“We would encourage older people to call Age Scotland’s free helpline on 0800 12 44 222 to request a benefits check to ensure they are receiving every penny to which they are entitled."
