New research shows many older people on low incomes would struggle to pay emergency bills
The research paints a worrying picture among older people on low incomes (Image: Getty)
One in five older people on low incomes would struggle to pay an unexpected £50 bill, worrying new polling shows. The survey found that 21% of over-65s with an income of less than £15,000 a year would find it difficult or impossible to get the money together.
The figure rises to over half – 52% – if the emergency bill was £250. The research for Independent Age’s new report titled Surviving Not Living, which is published today [TUES], also found that 20% of older people on low incomes have no savings to fall back on.
The charity’s chief executive Joanna Elson warned that “more must be done to protect older people with little or no savings from unexpected bills”
She said: “For older people on low incomes, even one unexpected bill can push them past the point where there’s anything left to cut back.
“It’s unacceptable that so many are seeing their income completely disappear on everyday essentials, like rent, water and food, which leaves them struggling to cover all their bills let alone save for emergencies like a broken fridge or oven.
“We have spoken to older people who have been forced to sit in cold homes because they cannot afford to fix their boiler. An intervention from the UK Government is urgently needed.”
Ms Elson called on the Government to “take real steps to boost the income of older people in financial hardship so that emergency costs do not mean getting into debt” at the upcoming Budget.
She added: “This includes introducing an all entitlement take-up strategy that simplifies the application process and ensures older people on low incomes receive all the financial support they are entitled to.
“We cannot stand by while older people in poverty are forced into debt just to keep their appliances running and their homes in good condition.”
Dorothy, 80, from Doncaster, said she is “struggling” to live on her state pension and has now run out of savings.
The pensioner said: “I live alone in council housing. My state pension is around £800 a month but I’m struggling to live on that. I had some savings, but they’re all gone now on paying for essentials.
“I’m careful with my water and utilities usage. I strip wash instead of having a bath, and I’ve even cut down on flushing the toilet. I don’t turn my heating on, not even in winter if I can help it.
“After paying my gas, water and electricity, there isn’t much money left for anything else. If my car, fridge or washer broke down, I don’t know where I’d find the money to get them fixed.”
Paul, 74, from Kings Lynn, said he faces “a struggle to survive” and is unable to afford repairs at home.
He said: “I am single and live alone. I don’t smoke, I don’t drink, I don’t go to restaurants or even have a coffee out.
“I haven’t been on a holiday since 2002, and that was a three-day working holiday, but it’s still a struggle to survive. I can’t afford to go anywhere or do anything.
“I have a leaking roof and gutters that need fixing but I can’t afford to repair them. If my cooker had to break down, I don’t know what I’d do, as I’m not in a position to buy a new one. That’s how bad things are.”
The research comes as around two million older people across the UK are living in poverty.
YouGov polled 2,188 adults from May 29 – June 3.
