Dr Carole Easton OBE, Chief Executive at the Centre for Ageing Better, said:
“We welcome the Work and Pensions Committee report on Pensioner Poverty: challenges and mitigations, which highlights many of the challenges that older people face today.
“We also strongly endorse the recommendation that the government appoint an Older People’s Commissioner for England. Many older people feel that their views are not represented when key governmental decisions are made. By having a Commissioner, England’s older people will have the same independent voice as older people in Northern Ireland and Wales.
“These recommendations echo those made by the Women and Equalities Committee earlier this year, demonstrating the growing awareness of the need for ageing and older people to be better represented in policy making.
“We’re pleased that the Committee has recommended a national, cross-governmental strategy for older people which Is essential for our country to address the challenges and embrace the opportunities our ageing population presents.
“Contrary to popular stereotypes, millions of pensioners are living increasingly desperate and challenging later lives. There is more inequality within generations than between them – something that the Committee recognised.
“It is unacceptable that many of the country’s older people are being denied the right to dignity and an acceptable standard of living. We therefore welcome the Committee’s recommendation that a pensions adequacy review needs to consider significant inequalities is fully supported by us.
“We are also pleased that the Committee has addressed the topic of the proposed increase to the State Pension Age and how such an increase can exacerbate existing poverty experienced by many people in older age.
“As the Committee rightly concluded, an increase in the State Pension Age can have a profoundly negative effect on poorer people unable to work in their 50/ and 60s. In light of this we fully endorse the Committee’s recommendation that the government produce an impact assessment of increasing the State Pension Age from 66 to 67.
“It was a privilege for me to be able to contribute to the Committee’s evidence that helped to formulate its recommendations, and we look forward to the Committee’s next steps.”
