Cost of living crisis: Almost a quarter of older Londoners are living in poverty, report says

Almost a quarter of older Londoners are now living in poverty, according to a report released by Age UK London.

The charity says this is higher than the rest of England, where the figure is currently 19%. The data also shows that the number of people living in poverty in London over the age of 50 has increased by 5% over the past decade.

Age UK London says older residents in the capital are now skipping meals and going without heating to save money.

One older person, who wanted to remain anonymous said: “The cost of living is worrying to old people and there is nothing you can do about it. If you are poor and everything is going up, it is really scary.”

Another older person said “I’m very scared of how I will get through the winter and keep warm. I fear losing my (privately rented) home because I cannot cope with the rising cost of living.”

Launched ahead of London Challenge Poverty Week (October 16 to 22), Age UK London hopes the report will motivate London’s decision makers to do more to take older Londoners out of poverty.

Abi Wood, CEO of Age UK London said: “This report highlights the increasing levels of poverty amongst older Londoners and the alarmingly growing disparity in poverty, fuel poverty and food insecurity rates in London.

“It also underscores the pressing need for affordable and accessible housing options, as well as comprehensive measures to alleviate poverty among this vulnerable demographic.”

Wood concluded: “There is still a long way to go to tackle poverty amongst older Londoners - the capital, one of the richest cities in the world, continues to have the highest poverty rates of any region of the UK and it has increased instead of fallen over the past decade. Comparing rates against other age groups where poverty has fallen, we are hearing from our older generation that they are really struggling.”

The Department for Work and Pensions said the government "remains committed to protecting pensioners" and it had "made the biggest state pension increase in history this year as well as boosting pension credit".

A spokesperson added that "pensioners most in need will receive up to £600 this winter to help with essential costs and we are bearing down on inflation to make everyone’s money go further".