Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has been urged to intensify efforts to alleviate pensioner poverty after a recent U-turn on the controversial Winter Fuel Payments cuts. A new report reveals that nearly three million UK pensioners are living below an acceptable quality of life.
The Commons Work and Pensions Committee has released a report demanding a government strategy to improve living conditions for the elderly. The report shows that around 2.8 million pensioners subsist below the Minimum Income Standard—a measure reflecting the income needed not just for basic necessities, but also to live with dignity and social inclusion.
The committee highlights that many older people are forced to cut back on essentials such as food, heat, and social activities due to financial strain, with women making up two-thirds of those experiencing poverty.
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One recommendation is to encourage more eligible pensioners to claim Pension Credit, a benefit that increases weekly income for the most vulnerable, including those with disabilities or caring duties. Following last year’s reduction in Winter Fuel Payments, Pension Credit claims rose by 60,000, yet MPs stress that much more must be done to help eligible individuals access this crucial support.
The report also suggests easing strict Pension Credit eligibility criteria to reduce the harsh “cliff-edge” effect that cuts off aid abruptly, by gradually broadening the qualifying thresholds.
Additionally, the government is reviewing the state pension age, as required every six years, taking into account factors such as life expectancy and health trends among older adults.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) warns that 45% of working-age adults currently do not contribute to any pension scheme. Rising living costs are forcing many to prioritize immediate expenses, jeopardizing their financial security in retirement.
Committee chair Debbie Abrahams emphasized the human cost of pensioner poverty: “Poverty is insidious. It isolates, damages health, and strips away dignity. After decades of contribution, older people deserve dignity in retirement. Yet many sacrifice essentials, accelerating their ageing due to insufficient income. Increasing Pension Credit uptake must be a priority.”
She added, “With soaring energy bills, health challenges, and more pensioners living in expensive private rentals, pensioner poverty is a wider societal concern. We need a nationwide, cross-governmental strategy for our ageing population, grounded in fairness and wellbeing.”