The Perfect Storm Behind Pensioner Poverty
‘Do we need more joined-up thinking on policy decisions
to end the financial misery facing millions?’
Why is retirement in the UK increasingly a time of financial struggle and worry rather than a time to relax after a lifetime of work?
The National Pensioners’ Convention will discuss the tsunami of policy decisions that are converging to cause misery for millions at our Dignity Action Day webinar, at 11am on Tuesday, 1st February 2022.
Many older people – still reeling from the pandemic which hit their generation hardest - feel they are being unfairly targeted by recent government policy changes.
Our panel of experts will discuss the implications of everything from, the suspension of the triple lock on annual pension increases at a time of rocketing prices, the growth in pensioner poverty, to the worsening crisis in health and social care. They will also consider what can and should be done to avert this escalating crisis for our oldest and most vulnerable.
Register now to join us for this free online Zoom event, chaired by NPC General Secretary Jan Shortt, with guest speakers:
Karin Smyth MP, Shadow Minister for Health and Social Care, on the crisis in care.
Lord Prem Sikka, fuel poverty and pensioners’ rights campaigner on the impact of the end of the energy price cap.
Tom Selby, Head of Retirement Policy, at AJ Bell, on the implications of the state pensions ‘triple lock’ suspension
Morgan Vine, Head of Policy & Influencing, Independent Age, on their new ‘Poverty in Later Life’ report.
NPC General Secretary Jan Shortt said: “Older people’s rights and quality of life have been seriously eroded in recent years, with more than 40 per cent – or two in five - living in poverty (*Independent Age). Many feel they are under attack by a raft of important but seemingly unconnected government policy decisions – or a lack of them. All of these decisions have disastrous implications for older people, including a real terms reduction of their incomes, as prices of essentials such as food and fuel rise at a faster rate.”
The recent policy changes that will be discussed at the NPC webinar include:
The suspension of the triple lock on the annual state pension rise in April - just as inflation rockets with rising prices of food and fuel for heating.
The lifting of the energy price cap, which will guarantee huge price rises in fuel for heating.
The increase in National Insurance to pay for care.
The loss of free TV licences for over 75s.
The rise in the qualifying age for prescriptions.
The lack of designated homes - properly heated and insulated – for older people.
The crisis in health and social care, with new policies which will result in more pensioners having to sell their homes to afford to go into care.
The backlog in medical treatment and surgery so many pensioners need.
The change in qualifying ages and conditions for pensioners’ bus passes – plus a reduction in the number of services pensioners rely upon.
To attend this important webinar and pose your own questions to the panel, register in advance for the webinar by clicking on the below link:
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
You can also watch the Webinar on the NPC YouTube channel:
ENDS
Download the press release below