News and media

The i  covered our latest report Turning the dial revealing the difficult experiences of older private renters living in cold, energy-inefficient homes and the barriers their landlords face in making the necessary property improvements. The article includes an interview with an older women facing fuel poverty in her rented home, and Morgan Vine, our Director of Policy and Influencing. We are calling on the UK Government to support landlords to improve their properties so they are more energy efficient.

Independent Age contributed to this story about renting in later life after being approached by the The Telegraph. We provided a spokesperson - Hilary Burkitt, Policy Manager - and one of our media volunteers - Rob Trewhella - to give their views on renting in later life, some of the drawbacks, and why it is becoming increasingly common.  The story was featured online and in print

Independent Age's latest report Jumping Through Hoops, shines a light on the experiences of older people navigating the social security system. We conclude that a complex and fragmented system is acting as a barrier and preventing older people from receiving all the money they are entitled to. Morgan Vine, Director of Policy and Influencing, did a pre-recorded interview on Jumping Through Hoops with Sky News Radio. The story was covered in the Daily Mail, The Independent, The i , and over 50 other news outlets.

Independent Age's reaction to new Pension Credit data showing a huge increase in both the number of successful and unsuccessful claims was picked up by over 150 outlets, including Daily Mail, The Independent, The Standard.

Labour MP for Hammersmith and Chiswick Andy Slaughter came to Independent Age's offices to hear about our work tackling poverty among older people. We worked together on an opinion piece for the Big Issue that highlights the impact of living in water poverty in later life and calls for a single social tariff. 

Independent Age installed an ice sculpture of pensioner Rob Trewhella outside the Tate Modern to raise awareness of older people left in the cold this winter. Rob is one of many pensioners impacted by Labour’s decision to restrict eligibility for the Winter Fuel Payment. Being just £2.80 above the pension credit threshold, he lost between £250 and £300 this winter. Read full article here.

Independent Age Chief Executive Joanna Elson CBE contributed an opinion piece to The Telegraph on what older private renters still need to see included in the Renters' Rights Bill as it enters the House of Lords.

The i covered our report: Looking for a lifeline: Modelling a single social tariff for water bills | Independent Age. The piece covers our findings which show that without a single social tariff, one million pensioner households could face water poverty by 2030. The i also spoke to two of our media volunteers, Yvonne and Judith, about the cuts they are already having to make to make ends meet. The article also includes a statement from Morgan Vine, Director of Policy and Influencing. Read the article here.