Who we're campaigning for
Across the UK, there are around two million older people living in poverty. That’s enough older people to fill Birmingham, Glasgow and Cardiff. At Independent Age we believe there are two million too many older people living in poverty.
Ahead of the next UK general election, we need all political parties to show they’re serious about tackling pensioner poverty.
Our recommendations
Whoever forms the next government, it’s vital they make sure all older people:
- Access existing support by increasing awareness and uptake of entitlements such as Pension Credit, Attendance Allowance, Housing Benefit and social tariffs
- Have long-term financial security by reducing unaffordable household costs, establishing an adequate minimum income in later life and ensuring our housing system is fair, good-quality and affordable
- Are given a voice at the heart of government, by creating a Commissioner for Older People and Ageing.
Hear from older people facing financial hardship
Private renter Susan saw her rent increase from £675 to £900 per month. She faces a no-fault eviction.
Marion's flat is a leasehold, and she has to pay very high service charges. Her energy bills have also gone up sharply.
How can you support this campaign?
We need all political parties to take pensioner poverty seriously, so ahead of the next UK general election, our resources will help you to have conversations with candidates and canvassers. Together, we can make change happen.
You can sign up to our campaigns network to keep up to date with our campaigns, and how you can stand with older people in financial hardship.
Free hustings guide
Ahead of the next UK general election, running a hustings event can help to raise important issues like poverty in later life to MP candidates. Our step-by-step guide will help you to organise a hustings event with confidence.
Download our Two Million Too Many posters
Show your support for our campaign by downloading and displaying our Two Million Too Many Posters in your window.
Download our door hangers
When candidates and canvassers are out and about, use our door hangers to ask them about how they’ll support older people in financial hardship. Each door hanger has a different set of questions, so you can focus on the issues that matter to you.
Download the Commissioner door hanger, championing a Commissioner for Older People and Ageing
Download the Costs door hanger