200k elderly Scots homes can’t afford the basics

MORE than 200,000 older households in Scotland will not have enough money to pay for basic essentials, a charity has warned.

Age Scotland yesterday claimed “major interventions” are required to stop more pensioners from falling into poverty.

With food and petrol prices rising, and energy bills going through the roof, deep concern has been expressed about the impact on the vulnerable.

About 150,000 pensioners are already living in relative poverty and Age Scotland estimates that the poorest households will need to increase the amount of their net income spent on essential goods from 70 per cent to 87 per cent.

This covers spending on housing, council tax, utility bills, food and drinks, internet access and transport.

The UK Government’s legislative agenda for the next year was released yesterday but the plans fell short of the expectations of many anti-poverty campaigners.

Age Scotland’s chief executive Brian Sloan has called on the UK and Scottish Governments to act.

He said: “When we released our Help to Turn Up the Heat report back in March, 94 per cent of older people were already worried about energy bills.

“Now, with costs continuing to increase and given the UK Government’s decision to pause the triple lock on pensions, the situation is becoming increasingly desperate.

“It’s scandalous that so many older households are being left with no choice but to switch off their heating and reduce the amount of food they buy or risk falling into debt due to unmanageable bills.

“These debts will become ever harder to clear as their outgoings from fixed incomes continue to rise.

“Huge numbers of older people are reliant on the State Pension and social security to survive, or live on low and fixed incomes, so the coming months are going to be incredibly tough as the bills keep mounting.

“The cost of living is surging, and quickly, but solutions from decision makers are few and far between.

“It’s clear further action is needed and we believe governments and councils should fully explore all avenues of support they could provide to ensure older households can cover the costs essential to supporting their health and wellbeing.”