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Gordon Lishman‚ Director General of Age Concern‚ said:

“Many older people are being hit hard by problems that rural living presents. It’s a real concern that older people in rural areas are at higher risk of living in poverty‚ less likely to claim benefits and more likely to have difficulties with accessing their pension and benefits.¹

“With an increasing proportion of over 65s living in rural areas‚ post office closures and poor public transport are leaving a growing number of older people at risk of isolation and facing difficulties in accessing essential services. The Government must urgently develop a sustainable rural strategy which caters for the needs of an ageing rural population.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

1. Access to banks is more restricted in rural areas - only 4% of villages have a bank‚ compared to 60% with a post office - and ATM charges are more common‚ which can be a big cost for those on low fixed incomes.

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