Millions of pensioners struggling to pay bills
TWO million pensioner households will not have enough money to pay essential bills this year, a hard-hitting report has revealed.
The share of their pensions they must spend in order to cover the rising cost of food, fuel and energy will jump from 67 per cent in 2021-22 to 79 per cent in 2022-23.
Almost half (960,000) of pensioners already live in poverty or just above the poverty line, the latest analysis by Age UK suggests.
This has stoked fears many will fail to meet other expenses – and that those with disabilities or illhealth are yet more vulnerable due to their higher energy usage.
More than half (51 per cent) of over-70s are already spending less on non-essentials,Age UK says.
As many as 45 per cent are cutting back on gas and electricity, while 26 per cent are buying less food.
Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, said: “I’m astonished that the bad news about prices keeps rolling in but the Government continues to sit on their hands – and from what we hear many older people are surprised and disappointed too. “Significant numbers of older people are already struggling and the Bank of England was crystal clear last week that it’s only going to get worse. For those on low, fixed incomes, relying solely on
their State Pension and benefits, it’s a terrifying prospect.”
Age UK wants an increase in benefits and the State Pension in line with inflation – and is calling for a one-off payment of £500 for those on the lowest incomes.
Jump
Some 89 per cent of people aged 70 or over reported their living costs had jumped over the previous month when questioned by the
Office for National Statistics in March 2022, compared to 71 per cent in November last year.
One caller to Age UK, in his 80s, recently said: “I will have to cancel my carer. I prefer to be warm and dirty than clean and cold.”
Meanwhile, a couple in their mid-70s said: “We go to bed much earlier to keep warm. We used to bathe daily, but now twice a week.
“We simply cannot afford to pay these rip-off prices anymore. What is the point of life?”