Age UK's response to JRF's State of the Nation report

In response to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF)’s ‘state of the nation’ report measuring poverty in the UK, Caroline Abrahams, Charity Director at Age UK, said:

“The findings in the JRF report are extremely worrying, confirming that despite previous positive progress, pensioner poverty is once again on the rise.

“The JRF’s predictions of a ‘standstill generation’, with many families unable to put any money aside for today, let alone tomorrow, is a huge concern. 

“With one in six pensioners (around 1.9 million) now living in poverty, not including the many thousands more who are just above this threshold and still struggling to make ends meet, the Government clearly needs to do far more.  Unless action is taken quickly, poverty among the older generation could continue to escalate, undermining all of the progress that’s been made following the introduction of measures such as the pension credit and triple lock.

“Clearly the time for complacency is over and there can be no doubt that, given the current situation, the state pension remains a vital tool in the fight against pensioner poverty, giving millions of older people a small element of financial security in an increasingly uncertain world.

 “It’s hard to believe but despite such high number of pensioners living in and just above the poverty line, as much as £3.5 billion in money benefits remains unclaimed by older people every year."

We would urge any older person living in the borough of Richmond upon Thames who is worried about money to get in touch with Age UK Richmond by calling our advice line free of charge on 020 8878 3073.

Claiming the benefits that you are entitled to could make a big difference to your income. We help older people claim around £1.3 million every year in uncalimed benefits - our Welfare Benefit advisors can visit you in the comfort of your own home and help fill in all the forms. We can also help with applications for grants for essential items, such as white goods and utility bills. Get in touch to see if we can help.