Challenge Poverty Week Scotland: Why we’re calling for the Government to turn the tide

For Challenge Poverty Week in Scotland, Independent Age’s Scotland Policy and Public Affairs Manager, Debbie Horne explains why the charity is demanding action to tackle rising pensioner poverty.

Challenge Poverty Week in Scotland sees hundreds of organisations raise their voices against poverty and unite to call for a socially just Scotland.

At Independent Age, we’re marking the week by highlighting the impact poverty has on older people, while calling for Government action to turn the tide.

Being able to afford a decent standard of life shouldn’t be a luxury. It’s something every older person should be able to enjoy — a life free from the constraints of poverty. But we’ve all seen the headlines and can feel the effects of the cost-of-living crisis.

Every day, at Independent Age, we’re hearing from older people about the impact the rising cost of living has on their lives. From our campaigners in later life, who tell us how the worry of paying bills keeps them awake at night. To the Helpline adviser who helps an older person get the Pension Credit they were missing out on and is told they’ll worry a little less about putting the kettle on now.

The current cost-of-living crisis has put a magnifying glass on the financial pressures that more and more people are experiencing. But, struggling to afford essentials is not a new phenomenon to the one million people living in poverty in Scotland — including 150,000 people over the age of 65. Over the past decade the number of older people in poverty in Scotland has actually increased.

At the same time, myths exist around the fortunes of older people when it comes to poverty. A misconceived idea that those in later life have large private pensions, own their own homes and are relatively well-off. But we know — and the statistics show — that’s simply not the case for the 1 in 7 pensioners in Scotland who live in poverty. We need to strip these misconceptions away and shine a spotlight on pensioner poverty.

Our recent polling found that over a third (35%) of over 65s in Scotland said they’ve already reduced the amount they are spending on food. It’s clear when over a third of pensioners are reducing their food intake because of financial pressures that something needs to change.

We know it doesn’t have to be this way. The economic and social security system we have was designed, and it can be redesigned to work for everyone. Measures like reinstating the State Pension triple lock are essential if we are to tackle rising poverty amongst older people.

Whilst this week is officially Challenge Poverty Week, every day at Independent Age we work to challenge poverty for people in later life. Addressing poverty must be a priority for Government all year round. And together, we can #TurnTheTide.