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Gordon Lishman, Director General of Age Concern, said:

“It is a national disgrace that pensioner poverty levels have begun to rise. The Government is failing those that need their help the most and the progress they have made on pensioner poverty to date is in danger of unravelling.

 “Older people have been hit particularly hard as living costs have gone through the roof – half of those affected by fuel poverty alone are pensioners. Yet despite this, the Government is still failing to get up to £4.7 billion of benefits help to the poorest pensioners, who are being left struggling to make ends meet.

“The current measures to help pensioners are clearly falling pitifully short of the mark. The Government must take urgent and decisive action to prevent more pensioners being pushed into poverty. The state pension should be increased to £124 a week and should be re-linked to earnings as soon as possible, the Winter Fuel Payment should be raised, and much more must be done to get benefits cash to those who need it.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

• Age Concern publishes free fact sheets, including 'A brief guide to money benefits' and 'Making the most of your money' – available by calling Age Concern’s Information Line on freephone 0800 00 99 66, or visiting our website.
• Age Concern’s bestselling book ‘Your Rights to money benefits 2008-09’ is written by Age Concern’s income expert Sally West and is a clear guide to all the main money benefits. Priced at £5.99 plus £1.99 p&p it can be ordered from Age Concern Books on 0870 44 22 120.

 

 

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