Our work in Scottish Parliament

We ensure the voices of older people living in poverty are heard by those with political power in Scotland.  

Today, 150,000 pensioners are in poverty in Scotland – put simply, too many older people don’t have enough to live on.  

We are campaigning for change 

For a pensioner poverty strategy

No one should face financial hardship in later life. But currently too many older people in Scotland are in poverty and need urgent action. 

Read our report, 'Not enough to live on' to learn more.

For affordable, secure housing

We all have the human right to housing, but currently too many older people don’t have an affordable, secure and suitable place to call home. We want to see the building of more social homes, with better protections and rights for older people, as explored in our report, ‘Homing in’.

For better social security support

Every pensioner should have enough income to live a decent life. We campaign to make the devolved social security system work as well as possible for older people in Scotland.

For an Older People’s Commissioner

An Older People’s Commissioner (OPC) can act as a champion for the rights and interest of older people. As highlighted in our OPC report, the majority of older people support the creation of the role. We’re supporting a Members’ Bill to try and make this happen, which you can read more about in our response to the consultation for the Bill. 

The national picture in Scotland

An ageing population  

  • Almost 1 in 5 people are State Pension age or over – a total one-million people

Income poverty

  • 1 in 7 pensioners live in poverty  

Fuel poverty

  • More than 1 in 3 older households are in fuel poverty

Renters and poverty

  • 3 in 10 pensioners who rent their home are in poverty

Pension Credit and Housing Benefit

  • We estimate that up to 70,000 older households aren’t receiving the Pension Credit they are entitled to, worth a combined £140 million
  • We estimate that up to 22,800 pension-age households are missing out on Housing Benefit worth a combined £100 million 

Read our policy reports and consultations

Get advice and support for older people

Get in touch with us by email

Read our media statements