Independent Age in the News

New research from Independent Age shows that older people from minoritised ethnic communities are being let down when it comes to escaping poverty, as language barriers, government mistrust and a lack of effective promotion of financial support stand in their way. Poverty amongst Asian and Black older people is approximately 10% higher than the national average. Morgan Vine, Head of Policy and Influencing at Independent Age, is calling for more targeted support to help these groups. The story got coverage in over 200 articles in national and regional press. Channel 5 News also invited a Morgan Vine and IA media volunteer Thabani Sithole to discuss the issue live in the studio. You can read the full story in Mail Online or The Independent.

Following coverage in several regional outlets, Mail Online ran a story on our call for broadband providers to promote their social tariffs more clearly. The call follows research that suggests 1 in 5 older people are struggling to pay for broadband, and that many are going without as a result. The article uses several statistics from Independent Age's research and urges people to check their eligibility for social tariffs.

Media volunteer Maggie Haggas cancelled her internet and phone contracts due to her financial situation – she says many people struggle to access banking because they can’t afford to go online. She spoke to i News about her situation and says the mass closure high street banks branches has made it very difficult to bank. John Palmer, Director of Influencing and Engagement gave a comment to i News, stating that more needs to be done by banks to accommodate people who aren't online. Especially in the light of recent research by Independent Age which found that almost one in three older people in financial hardship are worried about being able to pay their broadband bill over the next six months.

Independent age signed an open letter penned by the Renters’ Reform Coalition urging the government to do more to help renters who are facing huge rent hikes amidst the current cost of living crisis. It points out that the government has been swift to bring legislation to protect mortgage holders, and delayed in providing any help for private renters. We are named as signatories alongside other organisations including Shelter and Citizens Advice. The article has featured in hundreds of regional outlets and many nationals including Mail Online, Evening Standard and The Independent.

 Two of IA's media volunteers Carol and Wilf featured in this Northern Echo article. It tells their story in their own words though extensive quotes. The article covers IA's renewed focus on financial hardship in later life, mentioning our latest report ‘The hidden two million’ and including the accompanying documentary that shows the lived experience of older people in financial hardship. The piece includes a comment from Baroness Julia Neuberger, chair of Trustees at Independent Age. Read the full story here.

Thabani Sithole, spoke to i News about her experience of financial hardship in later life following a period of illness that forced her to retire. She explains that after initial feelings of shame, she eventually reached out to Independent Age who helped her get the benefits and Pension Credit she was entitled to. Now that she has some degree of financial stability, Thabani wants to speak out to ensure others don't suffer in silence due stigma. You can the full story here.

As part of our event announcing IA's renewed focus on financial hardship in later life, we told the stories of several financially struggling older people across the country. Among these was Rajia and her husband, who live in 'appalling' rented accommodation. The property has fallen into disrepair and has a rat infestation but the landlord refuses to make any repairs. The couple feel unable to leave due to their financial situation and the ill-health of Rajia's husband. The story was picked up locally by Birmingham Live and Birmingham Mail (print) and nationally by The Mirror .

The Mirror covered two more of the case studies revealed at IA's renewed poverty focus launch event. Gwenda and Yvonne both spoke to the Mirror about how they must make dangerous cuts to their eating habits due to their finances. The article cites statistics from IA's most recent report 'The hidden two million' which suggest that nearly 1 in 5 older people avoid socialising due to costs. The article includes a comment from Director of Policy and Communications -  John Palmer, along with a call for any older people struggling to reach out to IA's helpline. You can read the story here.