Charity urges government action on pensioner poverty

A leading charity is calling for urgent solutions to transform the lives of older people in the UK as the Labour government approaches its first anniversary in power, with figures showing more than half of voters feel older people have been negatively impacted by government decisions in the last year.

The call from Independent Age comes as they release the Together Against Poverty in Later Life report looking back at policies over the last 12 months and how the public feel about older people living on a low income. More than a third of the public believe older people are worse off than other people in general when it comes to financial stability and living standards in 2025, with more than three-quarters (77%) believing the government has a role to play in addressing older people’s poverty.

The research, conducted before the UK Government U-turned on their Winter Fuel Payment decision, found by some distance the initial decision to scrap it was both the UK Government’s least popular policy, and the one most considered by the public to be bad for older people.

Aston spoke to Morgan Vine, director of policy and influencing at Independent Age.

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