Poverty target for older people should be introduced

The government should consider matching its child poverty target with an equivalent goal for pensioners to help the significant minority of older people who are socially excluded.

The call comes in a report on social exclusion among older people commissioned by the Department for Communities and Local Government.

It said despite government efforts to combat pensioner poverty there was still a persistent minority experiencing extreme deprivation, and that “ideally” the government should aim to eliminate pensioner poverty by 2020, putting it on an equal footing with abolishing child poverty.

Alternatives included raising pensions for the over 80s, who are most likely to be poor.

Social exclusion of older people: future trends and policies – think piece from www.communities.gov.uk