4.5 Million Over 60s on Edge of Poverty Line

The results of the recent survey of poverty affecting older people have been released at the same time as a report by the charity Age UK, "Living on a Low Income in Later Life".

The economic downturn has had a huge impact on older households as shown by the research. Over 4.5 million older people are finding it difficult to make ends meet according to the poll.

Michelle Mitchell, charity director of AGe UK said in a statement:"Living on a low income is hard work. Currently there are 1.8 million people in later life living in poverty, but our polling suggests that many above the official poverty line are finding life hard."

In interviews with 1,003 adults in early January 2012, ICM found that generally over 60s admitted to having to making cutbacks in their daily lives. Pensioners are worried about being able to pay fuel bills and buying enough food for their needs.

One in five of those interviewed (9 per cent) said they would struggle to pay an unexpected bill of£150. Nearly one in ten of over 60s said they "were finding it difficult" to manage on their incomes. One in seven older people revealed they go to bed even when not tired in order to avoid having heating on and 13 per cent say they live in one room to conserve heating.

What's this?