Age Concern urges action to tackle inflation for pensioners

Age Concern has called on the government to take emergency measures to help pensioners who have been hit by dramatic rises in the cost of living.

In a report published today by the Institute for Fiscal Studies and backed by Age Concern, it was revealed that rocketing food and energy prices were disproportionately affecting the oldest and poorest pensioner households, who face an average inflation rate of 9% compared to 5.4% for non-pensioners.

The charity urged the government to up-rate the basic state pension and pension credits in line with the “real” pensioner inflation rate. Director general Gordon Lishman said that a “clear government strategy” was also needed to tackle the low take-up of pensioner benefits, including an emergency payment of at least £100 to every pensioner with benefit entitlement.

He added: “It’s clear that the most vulnerable pensioners are bearing the brunt of the huge increases in the cost of living seen recently. Exceptional times call for exceptional measures, and the government must urgently respond to the needs of the millions of pensioners struggling to pay for the basics.”

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