A heartbreaking reality check has been issued as scores of British pensioners give up basic necessities so they can afford to pay the ever-rising tax.
Pensioners on low incomes are living in dread of tax demands (Image: Getty)
Elderly Brits are at “breaking point” and are cutting back on food so they can pay their council tax, a leading charity has warned. Research from Independent Age found 27% of older people on a low income can “only just afford their essential costs and often struggle to make ends meet”.
This is up from 23% two years ago. In this time the share of older people on an income of less than £15,000 a year who are worried about paying their council tax has surged from 33% to 44%.
The charity states: “Unlike many other bills, households struggling to afford their council tax cannot reduce the cost of their bill by making cutbacks, cancelling the service or shopping around for better deals. This is resulting in older people in financial hardship cutting back on other essentials, like food, to be able to pay their council tax bill.”
The average bill for a Band D property this year rose to £2,280 in England (+5%), £2,170 in Wales (+7%), and £1,543 in Scotland (+9%).
Independent Age found water prices have risen by just over a quarter in England and Wales. The share of older people on low incomes who are concerned about paying their water bill has shot up from 29% in 2023 to 43%.
The group warns that some are “avoiding flushing the toilet, doing laundry less often or cutting back on showers and baths”.
One anonymous participant in the research told the charity: “I only use my kettle one or twice a day – more often than not just once. I flush the toilet once in the morning and once last thing.
“I use my washing machine just once a week and have a bath just once.”
The average broadband bill has now hit £312 and 46% of older people on low incomes find it a “constant struggle” – or a struggle from time to time – to pay it. Six out of 10 were unaware of the existence of social tariffs to help less well-off customers.
A 73-year-old pensioner named Glynis told Independent Age how she had lukewarm showers in a cold bathroom and had to make a choice between cooking a hot meal or turning on the heating to keep her energy bills down.
She said: “I have been very cold and uncomfortable… These are difficult choices but unavoidable.”
The charity is pushing for a “national social tariff” for water bills in England and Wales and increasing the Government’s “warm home” discount on electricity bills from £150 to £400.
Chief Executive Joanna Elson said: “For older people on a low income across the country, basic household costs are pushing their limited budgets to breaking point. This is not acceptable.
“We are talking about the minimum requirements for a dignified life: being able to turn the heating on in the winter, washing regularly, or accessing essential online services. High bills mean older people on low incomes are struggling to even afford food.
“The UK Government must act to protect these individuals from runaway household costs.”
The challenges facing Britain’s ageing population are a major factor in UK politics (Image: Getty)
Shadow Chancellor Sir Mel Stride said: “Older people are paying the price for Rachel Reeves‘s economic mismanagement. Thanks to her tax hikes, prices are rising – and older people are feeling the pinch.
“Meanwhile, council tax is soaring on Labour’s watch and energy bills have gone up despite Ed Miliband’s promise to bring them down, leaving families struggling to make ends meet. And Labour have already shown what they really think about older people with their attempts to cut the Winter Fuel Allowance.
“Labour are too weak to control spending, which is why they are gearing up to heap more costs on ordinary people at the Budget.”
A Government spokesperson said: “Supporting pensioners is a top priority and our commitment to the triple lock means millions of older people are set to see their State Pension rise by up to £1,900.
“We also expanded the £150 warm home discount, extended water tariff support and have given an extra 57,000 pensioner households pension credit, which provides access to further support like council tax reductions and is worth on average £4,300 a year.”