Lothian MSP Jeremy Balfour hosted a drop-in event on Wednesday 31 May 2023 in Holyrood to discuss the need to tackle financial hardship in later life.
The event was held by Independent Age, the national older people’s charity, as latest figures show that 1 in 7 older people now live in poverty in Scotland, a 25% rise in the last decade. Earlier in the year, the organisation launched its research report “Not Enough to Live On”: Pensioner Poverty in Scotland, calling for the government to introduce a long-term strategy to reduce pensioner poverty.
The report, which was shared at the event, included interviews from 40 older people on their experience of living on a low income and detailed the toll that the cost of living crisis has taken on both their physical and mental health. Many reported skipping meals, not turning the heating on or being forced to stay in the house because they can’t afford to leave their home.
Jeremy Balfour MSP also heard about Independent Age’s call, supported by over 30 organisations who work across Scotland, for the establishment of an Older People’s Commissioner to act as an independent champion for older people across all government departments. With a predicted 1 in 4 expected to be over 65 by 2040, the charity says that the Government should embrace and plan for this demographic shift by establishing a commissioner.
In Lothian there are more than 121,000 people aged 66 and over. An estimated 18,168 older people in Lothian are in poverty.
Speaking after the event, Lothian MSP Jeremy Balfour said:
“Today’s event highlighted the need for a focus on poverty in later life at Holyrood.
“It is important for everyone in the Lothians to feel they have a voice, and that their voice will be represented and listened to across government.
“No one should be left out of the conversation as they age”
Debbie Horne, Scotland Policy and Public Affairs Manager for Independent Age said:
“We’re really pleased that Jeremy Balfour MSP hosted our event focused on the issues older people in financial hardship are facing in Scotland.
“With Scotland’s rapidly ageing population, older people’s issues should be front and centre of the government’s agenda, yet we hear from older people on low incomes every day who tell us they feel invisible and like their views don’t matter.”
