On the Edge - Poverty and older Londoners

Did you know that London has the highest rate of poverty amongst older people in the country? 

As part of Age UK London's On the Edge campaign we:

• Shine a light on the issues by publishing the latest research.
• Work with older Londoners to call for action to reduce the poverty experienced by older people.
• Work with decision makers in London to ensure the issue are further up the political agenda.

For the past three years Age UK London has launched our reports on poverty amongst older Londoners. 

Our latest report highlights that:

• Research carried out with older Londoners shows many are struggling daily
• 25% of older Londoners over the age of 80 are living in poverty
• Older Londoners are suffering anxiety about paying bills

In our most recent report we outlined a series of recommedations for London's local authorities and the Mayor of London.

Improving take-up of support:

• Local authorities to review the effectiveness of current approaches to increase take-up of Pension Credit, Attendance Allowance, and other financial support, measuring against effective practice and learning in other boroughs. This should include options to take part in targeted household take-up campaigns, such as the campaigns delivered by Policy in Practice and London boroughs, funded by the Mayor of London

• The Mayor of London to continue to fund the data driven financial support take-up campaigns coordinated by Policy in Practice in partnership with London boroughs.

• Local authorities to work with community centres, charities, GP surgeries and other outreach services to raise awareness of financial support available – including Pension Credit, council tax support, the Warm Homes Discount, Household Support Fund, Attendance Allowance and Housing Benefit.

• Local authorities to provide in-person drop-in support sessions at libraries and other community spaces. Make pop-up advice available in unused retail spaces, high street stalls and supermarkets. As well as signposting to support such as energy consultations by Green Doctors, support should include assistance with online forms such as Housing Benefit and Pension Credit where hard-copy forms are unavailable.

• Local authorities to ensure that financial support, including application forms and processes, are easily available to people without internet access. Face-to-face and telephone support should be available and better promoted.

On the Edge, 2025 

• Local authorities to ensure that information and advice about support for the families and carers of older people is widely and visibly available. This should include information (including those to meet the duties set out in the 2014 Care Act) about what services are available and support withapplying for Carer’s Allowance and Attendance Allowance.

• UK Government to review the eligibility criteria for Pension Credit as there are too many older Londoners who narrowly fall outside the criteria and miss out on potentially thousands of pounds per year that would help them meet their basic needs, now including the Winter Fuel Payment.

• UK Government to expand eligibility for the Winter Fuel Payment to pensioners receiving other benefits, including Housing Benefit, Council Tax Support, Attendance Allowance (and other disability benefits) and Carer’s Allowance. While we are aware that local authorities rather than the DWP administer some of these benefits, we urge the Government to find data-sharing solutions.

Employment for older people

• Local authorities to work with local employers, adult education providers and Jobcentre Plus offices to improve careers services and other skills training for older job seekers who may wish to continue working to boost their income.

Involving older Londoners in decision-making

• Local authorities to develop an anti-poverty strategy and enable older residents with lived experience of poverty to fully participate in their development, implementation and ongoing evaluation. Where anti-poverty strategies already exist, review them to ensure they adequately include action to address poverty experienced by older people.

Addressing food and fuel poverty

• To help address food poverty, local authorities to review options to offer services such as meals on wheels, shopping support services, and lunch clubs where such services do not currently exist.

• Local authorities to continue to fund ‘community warm spaces’, such as libraries or community centres, where older Londoners can stay warm without incurring personal costs.

• Local authorities to proactively work with the Warmer Homes London partnership to make homes warmer, cheaper to run and more energy
efficient.

• Local authorities to work with accessible housing partners and the London Housing Panel to increase older Londoner’s awareness of accessible housing support. Awareness activities should include information on how to access aids and adaptations so more older Londoners can live safely and well in their homes.

On the Edge, 2025 

• UK Government to implement an energy social tariff, which provides a unit-based discount to eligible consumers’ energy bills, for people on a lower income. The Warm Home Discount scheme could be reformed to deliver support in this way.

Tackling digital exclusion

• Local authorities to work with banks to encourage financial inclusion and the opening of local banking hubs41 to offer face-to-face cash and banking services, helping to ensure that older people can manage their money how they prefer to and trust, and can receive support if needed. Getting out and about

• Transport for London to reinstate free travel before 9am for those with an Older Person’s Freedom Pass or their 60+ Oyster card, to reduce the costs that older Londoners face when they have caring responsibilities, when accessing banking and other services, and when attending early hospital appointments.

• To reduce the reliance of older disabled Londoners on expensive taxi journeys, local authorities should work with London Councils, Transport for London and others to raise awareness about eligibility for London Taxicard and Dial-A-Ride services.

Poverty Campaign Advisory Board

Our Poverty Campaign Advisory Board met for the first time in November 2023. The advisory board consists of experts in the issue from Independent Age, Open Door and HEAR. 

Our Funder

Our thanks to our funder Propel. It would not be possible to campaign on behalf of older Londoners living in poverty without their support.