Commenting on today’s King’s Speech Joanna Elson CBE, Chief Executive of Independent Age said:
“We are very pleased to see that rental reforms look set to be a priority for this parliament. Measures announced today for people renting in England, including an end to ‘No Fault’ evictions, a ban on the discrimination against people in receipt of financial entitlements and an increase in the quality of private rented homes are urgent, and we look forward to this being progressed at speed.
“Today’s King’s Speech has outlined the UK Government’s focus on national renewal and it’s important that this renewal helps the two million older people currently living in financial hardship. We are pleased to see the UK Government commit to improving private pensions for future older people, including better access to small pension pots, but we also need action for the one in five single older people currently relying on the State Pension and financial entitlements alone. Right now, we need to see increased uptake of income related support for those living on a low income in later life. Currently Pension Credit isn’t received by around a third of older people who should be receiving it. In the longer term the UK Government should lead a cross-party review to establish what level of income is needed to avoid financial hardship in later life and ensure everyone is able to reach it. We are also calling on the UK Government to establish consistent national social tariffs to make sure that essentials like energy and water are affordable for everyone.
“We look forward to working with new and returning MPs across the Westminster parliament to make sure that poverty in later life becomes a thing of the past.”