Charity news outlets covered the announcement of Independent Age's new CEO - Joanna Elson CBE. She will be joining IA in September after 17 years at the debt advice charity the Money Advice Trust. With a strong track record in working with people struggling with their finances, Joanna is well placed to lead Independent Age as it moves into the poverty space. You can read our full press release here.
As part of our Older People's Commissioner campaign in Scotland the IA made efforts to secure Scottish celebrity support. The campaign got endorsement from Singer Barbara Dickson OBE and the actors Gregor Fisher and Barbara Rafferty. The article includes quotes from the celebrities voicing their support for IA's campaign and an extended comment from Debbie Horne, Scottish Public Affairs and Policy Manager. The story has since been picked up by several regional Scottish print newspapers.
Following the broadcast of Britain's Forgotten Pensioners: Dispatches, The Mirror ran a story focusing on a study carried out by National Energy Action for the Dispatches probe. The research found three in five over-65s used their heating less than usual - and one in five went to bed early to stay warm last winter. IA's John Palmer was the lead quote in the article. You can read the story in full here.
Britain's Forgotten Pensioners: Dispatches, follows three sets of pensioners across the winter months of 2022 and 2023, as cold snaps combined with high heating and electricity bills make life uncomfortable, lonely and dangerous. The documentary makers worked with IA to use recordings of the IA helpline to illustrate the issues faced by older people. You can read John Palmer's statement about the show here.
The IA media team put forward an older person in financial hardship who could speak about their experience for the i News 'How I Manage My Money' series. IA case study Yvonne gave a brilliant interview, detailing her monthly expenses and what it was like to both grow up in financial hardship and have low income in retirement. She calls for a Commissioner for Older People and Ageing in England and talks about campaigning for Pension Credit awareness. You can read the full story here.
Research commissioned by smart home security company, Ring, found 21 percent of the population know someone who had been the victim of an attempted scam or suspected scam in the last 12 months. Elderly parents (38 percent) and elderly neighbours (26 percent) are the groups adults are most worried about falling victim to a doorstep scam. The article mentions Independent Age's scam advice and directs people to our website. The story has featured in over 35 regional outlets, the Mirror and the Express.
Independent Age media volunteer, Thabani, spoke to The Sun about the impact Pension Credit has had on her life. She discusses how Independent Age helped her not only apply for Pension Credit , but also made her aware of her eligibility for Attendance Allowance, further boosting her income. The article includes links to our website, our Helpline number and encourages people to get in touch if they think they might be eligible. Read the full story here.
A powerful coalition of charities and campaign groups have signed a statement calling on the creation of an Older People’s Commissioner.
The demand for an OAP tsar comes as pensioner poverty has soared to 150,000.
Labour MSP Colin Smyth is to launch a member’s bill for a dedicated commissioner for senior citizens.
The plan is being supported by 30 groups who have signed a “consensus statement”, released by the Independent Age charity.
It reads: “We call on the Scottish Government to establish an Older People’s Commissioner for Scotland to act as an independent champion for older people and ensure that policy and practice across government considers the long-term needs of people in later life.
“A commissioner would facilitate the long-term planning that is needed to ensure our economy and public services are adapting to demographic shifts, while also enabling more people to age well.
“Older people want to be part of the nation’s vision, now, and in the future. As our older population becomes increasingly diverse, we believe that older people urgently need a champion to help make Scotland the best place in the world to grow old.”
The declaration was signed by groups including Age Scotland, Scottish Care, Fuel Poverty Action and the National Pensioners Convention.
Supporters believe a Commissioner could tackle issues such as poverty, loneliness and social care provision.
Debbie Horne, Scotland Policy and Public Affairs Manager at Independent Age, said: “The dangerous stereotype that all older people are financially secure is common, and too often older people are not given the opportunity to voice their experience about what they need, including better financial support. This is wrong.
“We all deserve to look forward to our later years and an Older People’s Commissioner could help. If introduced they will be an independent champion standing up for everyone in later life.
“We urge the Scottish Government to establish an Older People’s Commissioner and bring Scotland into line with the other devolved nations to ensure no one feels left out of the conversation as they age.”
Smyth said: “There’s no doubt there is widespread support to create an Older People’s Commissioner for Scotland.
“The profound impact of the Covid pandemic on older people showed the lack of someone independent of Government but with the ear of Ministers at the table when big decisions affecting older people are being made.
