One in five pensioners – more than 2 million people – are living in relative poverty in the UK, an increase of more than 200,000 in the past year alone, according to a new report.
The Centre for Ageing Better surveyed 2,000 adults in England as part of its annual State of Ageing report. More than 80% of respondents said the government was failing to ensure a decent life for older people and more than two thirds supported the appointment of an independent commissioner to look after the rights of older people.
There were differences of up to 10 years in the lifespan of rich and poor pensioners, and more than 17 years’ difference in the time that pensioners get in good health without a disabling illness, the report said.
With the population ageing rapidly, the number of people at risk is growing at an alarming rate, according to the report. There are almost 11 million people aged 65 and over in England today, making up 19% of the total population. In 10 years’ time this figure will have increased to 22%.
Dr Carole Easton, the chief executive of the Centre for Ageing Better, said: ‘Ageing is not exclusive to older people. We are all ageing, all the time. We all have that in common. But what is not shared is how we’ll age, and where we’ll end up in our older age.
‘It’s clearer than ever that ageing in England is not a level playing field – and it’s getting worse. Inequalities within older generations are some of the most extreme in society today.
‘We’re seeing shocking gulfs in disability-free life expectancy, with differences of up to 17 years in the time we spend in good health without a disabling illness.
‘It’s abundantly clear that not enough is being done to support everyone to age well. The government cannot shy away from this. With an ageing population, these problems are becoming more and more urgent. The government must show that they are serious about supporting everyone to have a decent old age by committing to a long term strategy and by developing the legislation to create an Older People’s Commissioner as soon as possible.’
The report highlights other trends that will have a significant impact on people’s security and quality of life in old age. These include increasing numbers of older people living alone, with 1.3 million more people aged 45 and over living alone in 2020 than in 2000, and the number of people aged over 55 privately renting homes reaching an all-time high of 867,000.
The polling also shows that the public expects both central government and local authorities to take greater action to ensure a good later life for all.
Photo by Victoriano Izquierdo