Age Cymru comments on Assembly Committee report

Commenting on the publication of a report into poverty in Wales by the National Assembly's Communities and Equality Committee, Graeme Francis, Age Cymru's Head of Policy and Public Affairs, says:

"With an estimated 84,000 older people living in poverty in Wales, as highlighted in our ‘Life on a low income' report, it is vital that real action is taken to ensure that people have access to a reasonable income. 

"A higher proportion of single pensioners living alone are in low-income households than any other group in society - with overall figures highest amongst older women living alone.

"We welcome the publication of the Committee's report today. We are particularly pleased that they have supported our recommendations about welfare benefit uptake and the importance of advice and income maximisation services.

"In 2014, figures showed that unclaimed Pension Credit was worth £168 million each year in Wales - this money could make a real difference to the lives of many older people.

"This is money that people are owed and that they should be receiving. We believe that the under-claiming of benefits such as Pension Credit in Wales should be addressed as a priority by the Welsh Government."

You can read the Communities and Equality Committee report on the National Assembly for Wales's website.