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Charity Age UK warns elderly may die without help to pay energy bills
Age UK today urged Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss to commit to firm action as old age people issues have been absent from their pitches. Both have been told: “Knowing you are on their side in this way would mean a great deal to our older population,” the Express reported.
It comes just two days after the Daily Express launched its Give Them a Voice campaign demanding pensioners are properly represented at the top table of government with the Cabinet appointment of an Older People’s Minister.
There are now some 13 million UK retirees.
A poll of 14,021 over-65s for the charity showed the restoration of the pension triple lock and assistance with rising bills were priorities for 57 percent. A further 25 percent said action on the NHS and social care was their main concern.
Age UK’s charity director Caroline Abrahams said: “Substantial numbers are struggling financially already, but if the economic forecasts are accurate many more pensioners will be plunged into serious trouble come the autumn and winter, including some who until very recently believed their position to be totally secure.
“With the benefit of all they have seen and experienced through their long lives, older people know that this is an extraordinary situation, unlike anything before.
They are telling us that they expect the Government of the day to take it with the same seriousness they do, and to bring forward measures to protect them in response.
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It shouldn’t be too much to expect, even at a time when the governing party is involved in a leadership contest to select our new prime minister.”
She said: “If this doesn’t happen our sincere belief is that we could see unprecedented numbers of older people dying of cold in their own homes, something we would never say lightly and that is incredibly shocking in the 21st century.”
The charity has been flooded with heartbreaking accounts of daily struggle with one saying: “So many people in old age are left without any support, both financially and physically. One the biggest worries is having to pay for care, either in a home or at home, you do the best you can."
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"Recently my husband came out of hospital at 9pm. No-one asked if I could manage at 87 or did we need assistance."
“I did manage but it is becoming more and more difficult, particularly when our family lives miles away. I pay for cleaning but there is much more to do than just this. We are the forgotten group.”
Another said: “I have morphed into a full-time carer for my 80-year-old wife. I find very little support out there for people like us who are able to manage but not live a life. We manage daily, but I am fearful and anxious for the future unless the elderly are given the support they (may) need.”
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Age UK has urged each candidate, former Chancellor Mr Sunak, 42, who took the decision to suspend the triple lock, and Foreign Secretary Ms Truss, 47, to make a “clear and unequivocal public statement” about their commitment to restoring safeguard.
It also urged them to guarantee the basic state pension will rise by a minimum of either 2.5 percent, the rate of inflation or average earnings growth, whichever is greatest, and giving emergency support with energy bills to see those on low incomes through autumn and winter.
Energy bills for a typical household could hit £4,266 next year. This equates to 45 percent of the current state pension.
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At £185.15 a week the UK state pension is the lowest in Europe. However, it is the largest source of income for most older people and, on average, pensioners receive less than £9,000 a year.
Due to the suspension of the triple lock it rose by just 3.1 percent this year. Meanwhile, CPI inflation is currently at 9.4 percent and expected to rise further.
Source: express
