Contact: Siobhan McCann, Age Concern and Help the Aged press office, 020 7239 1942 or out of hours 07730 912524

Budget must benefit older people and stimulate the economy

Older people are not confident the Government will help them in the recession, with many going to extreme measures to cope thereby putting their health at risk, according to leading older people’s charity Age Concern and Help the Aged.  New research launched by the recently merged charity today (15^th April) shows that one in five people aged 60 and over are skipping meals to save money on food (22 per cent), while two fifths are struggling to afford essential items (42 per cent).

Ahead of the Budget next week, Age Concern and Help the Aged is warning that many older people, particularly the oldest and poorest pensioners, are among the worst hit by high prices.  Pensioners on low incomes face a far higher than average inflation rate and struggle to afford basic household essential items such as food and electricity.  The Charity is challenging the Government to ensure investment to stimulate the economy also benefits older people.  

Age Concern and Help the Aged is today also launching its More Money in Your Pocket campaign to help older people receive the benefits that are rightfully theirs.

The new research from Age Concern and Help the Aged also shows that:

·        Six out of ten people aged 60 and over (59 per cent) are not confident the Government will help older people cope during the recession;

·        Two fifths of people aged 60 and over (42 per cent) struggle to afford essential items;

·        Two fifths of older people are cutting back on socialising (42 per cent), electricity (41 per cent) and gas (38 per cent);

·        One in four people aged 60 and over (25 per cent) are cutting back on food.

Michelle Mitchell, Charity Director for Age Concern and Help the Aged, says: “Many older people are being clobbered by high prices and are being pushed to extreme measures to cope financially - the Government cannot sit by while older people skip meals and put their health at risk.  The oldest and poorest pensioners are being hit particularly hard.

“The state of the economy is the defining issue of our times and this year’s Budget will have many demands on it.  But the challenge to Government is to ensure that older people, and older voters, aren’t forgotten.  Investment to stimulate the economy must also benefit them.  

 “In addition to any package of support for older people, the Government must commit to rolling out automatic payment of benefits.  In the meantime, our More Money in Your Pocket campaign will help many pensioners get the benefits they’re entitled to, which will at least help ease their financial burden.”

When the Chancellor of the Exchequer announces the Budget next week, Age Concern and Help the Aged is calling for a package of measures to help low income pensioners with modest savings including:

• A commitment to move quickly to roll out automatic payment of income-related benefits including Pension Credit, Council Tax Benefit and Housing Benefit. Older people miss out on up to £5 billion in benefits each year;
• A package of measures to assist low income savers who have seen the income from they often rely from modest savings eroded by cuts in interest rates;.
• Maintaining the Winter Fuel Payment and Cold Weather Payment at current levels.  When it was first introduced, the Winter Fuel Payment covered over a third of the average fuel bill - now it covers less than a fifth;
• A new comprehensive programme to improve the energy efficiency of housing stock and other urgent measures to tackle fuel poverty. Around 2.75 million older households – more than one in three – live in fuel poverty;

In addition to providing information, advice and support about benefits directly to older people, the Age Concern and Help the Aged More Money in Your Pocket campaign will also work with health professionals and providers to ensure messages about benefit take-up reach older people.

For a more detailed copy of the Age Concern and Help the Aged Budget wish list including demands to support older workers and people supported by the failing social care system, please visit XXXXX

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Notes to Editors:

1. Age Concern England and Help the Aged have joined together to form a single charity dedicated to improving the lives of older people.
2. ICM interviewed a random sample of 1,230 people aged 60+ by telephone between 18^th and 29^th March 2009. Surveys were conducted across Great Britain and the results have been weighted to the profile of all adults 60+.  ICM is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules.  Further information at www.icmresearch.co.uk.
3. More Money in Your Pocket is Age Concern and Help the Aged ‘does what it says on the tin’ national benefits take-up campaign. Every year, we put more than £100 million back in older people’s pockets by helping them to claim everything they are owed. The extra money can dramatically improve the quality of life of older people, financially and socially, and will even pull many out of poverty. Further information can be found at: www.ageconcern.org.uk/money or by phoning Age Concern’s National Information Line on 0800 00 99 66 or Help the Aged’s SeniorLine on 0808 800 6565.