Care home residents 'losing will to live' amid Covid restrictions in England

Independent Age's new report - Hidden Renters: The unseen faces of the rising older rental wave Independent Age received widespread coverage across national and regional press, with almost 200 articles in total, as the piece was also syndicated by PA. The report found that one in five older renters can no longer comfortably afford what they owe with a significant number of those surveyed feeling anxiety about housing. You can read stories from the Daily Mail, The Independent and iNews .

The state pension is likely to rise by 8.5% in April after data crucial triple lock was published. Following this news, Independent Age issued a statement to explain why the triple lock is currently important for older people on a low income. The quote from John Palmer, Director of Influencing and Engagement, was included in coverage of the triple lock by BBC News, BBC Radio 4, BBC News at 6, The Times (print and online), The Express.

Independent Age media volunteer Thabani Sithole went on BBC 2's Newsnight to discuss the triple lock with former pensions minister Steve Webb and former Work and Pensions secretary Davide Gauke. Thabani spoke on the issues as well as sharing her own circumstances. Watch the episode here.

Independent Age is calling on broadband providers to further promote their social broadband tariffs so that older people in financial hardship are aware that support for their internet costs is available. The article includes research commissioned by Independent Age, along with a comment from Morgan Vine - Head of Policy and Influencing. It also incudes advice for older people about how to find and apply for social tariffs along with a quote from Fran McSweeney - Head of National Services. Read the full article here.

More than half of Britain's bank branch network has closed since 2015, around 5,600 closures, leaving just 4,000 branches remaining. In their coverage of the story, the Daily Mail used a comment from John Palmer - Director of Influencing and Engagement - in which he urges banks not to forget about their older customers who may be less confident using online services.

Morgan Vine, Head of Policy and Influencing at Independent Age, released a comment about the increase of the energy standing charge and its effect on older people on low incomes. It is estimated that one in three households will face higher bills between October and March. Independent Age is calling for an energy bills social tariff that would include those on low income over 65. The story was picked up in Daily Record and North Edinburgh News.

iNews spoke to Independent Age media volunteer Yvonne ahead of the expected promise from the government to uphold the triple lock next year. Reliant on her state pension income to survive, Yvonne talks about feeling isolated and restricted during her retirement. The article includes a comment from Morgan Vine, Head of Policy and Influencing, in which she emphasizes the huge impact the cost of living crisis is having for those on fixed incomes in later life. Read the full article here.

Following the latest release of Pension Credit caseload statistics, Independent Age put out a statement through Morgan Vine - Head of Policy and Influencing. The Sun picked up on the story and included our quote. The article welcomes the 32,000 increase in older people receiving Pension Credit between November and February 2023, but expresses concern over the tens of thousands of eligible people still missing out. Read the full story here.