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27/07/2009
Concerns Over 'Pensioner Poverty'
The Government has insisted that it is fully behind the welfare of retired people.
In the face of a new report that said around one third of the UK's retired people are living in poverty, an official statement has described as "nonsense" any suggestion that the Government is "not committed to pensioners".
The war of words comes after a call for 'urgent action' on foot of the report's findings that many British over-65s are living in poverty.
The European Commission statistics, published by Eurostat, place the UK's elderly among the worst in Europe, with 30% living on incomes far below the national average.
In fact, this is the fourth highest level in Europe, with the charities Age Concern and Help the Aged calling for ministers to act through measures such as reforming the benefits and pension system.
The figures come ahead of the Work and Pension Committee's review of Government efforts to tackle pensioner poverty, which is published on Thursday.
The EU research, which compared relative poverty in the 27 member states, showed nearly one in three UK over-65s were at risk of poverty in 2007, the same proportion as in Lithuania (30%).
It revealed that in most leading European economies, pensioner poverty levels were either below or slightly above the EU average of 19%.
Michelle Mitchell, Charity Director for Age Concern and Help the Aged, said: "What this report clearly shows is that, even before the recession set in, many older people weren't keeping up with the pace at which the general wealth of the nation has increased over the past years. This means they risk being increasingly excluded from community life."
However, in response, a Department for Work and Pensions spokesman said: "It's absolute nonsense to suggest this Government is not committed to pensioners.
"Measures such as pension credit and winter fuel payments mean that even the poorest pensioners in the UK are still better off than the poorest pensioners in other countries. Even the poorest pensioners in the UK are better off than the poorest pensioners in France or Germany."
(BMcC/JM)
In the face of a new report that said around one third of the UK's retired people are living in poverty, an official statement has described as "nonsense" any suggestion that the Government is "not committed to pensioners".
The war of words comes after a call for 'urgent action' on foot of the report's findings that many British over-65s are living in poverty.
The European Commission statistics, published by Eurostat, place the UK's elderly among the worst in Europe, with 30% living on incomes far below the national average.
In fact, this is the fourth highest level in Europe, with the charities Age Concern and Help the Aged calling for ministers to act through measures such as reforming the benefits and pension system.
The figures come ahead of the Work and Pension Committee's review of Government efforts to tackle pensioner poverty, which is published on Thursday.
The EU research, which compared relative poverty in the 27 member states, showed nearly one in three UK over-65s were at risk of poverty in 2007, the same proportion as in Lithuania (30%).
It revealed that in most leading European economies, pensioner poverty levels were either below or slightly above the EU average of 19%.
Michelle Mitchell, Charity Director for Age Concern and Help the Aged, said: "What this report clearly shows is that, even before the recession set in, many older people weren't keeping up with the pace at which the general wealth of the nation has increased over the past years. This means they risk being increasingly excluded from community life."
However, in response, a Department for Work and Pensions spokesman said: "It's absolute nonsense to suggest this Government is not committed to pensioners.
"Measures such as pension credit and winter fuel payments mean that even the poorest pensioners in the UK are still better off than the poorest pensioners in other countries. Even the poorest pensioners in the UK are better off than the poorest pensioners in France or Germany."
(BMcC/JM)
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24 April 2008
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The Government is failing pensioners and poor families in fuel poverty, according to a coalition of Age Concern, Child Poverty Action Group, and National Energy Action.
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The Government is failing pensioners and poor families in fuel poverty, according to a coalition of Age Concern, Child Poverty Action Group, and National Energy Action.
03 February 2005
Mandela addresses anti-poverty rally in London
Former South African president, Nelson Mandela, has told the crowds at an anti-poverty rally in London that the fight against poverty was as important as the fight against slavery.
Mandela addresses anti-poverty rally in London
Former South African president, Nelson Mandela, has told the crowds at an anti-poverty rally in London that the fight against poverty was as important as the fight against slavery.
30 March 2004
Government hails progress on child poverty targets
Up to 700,000 children have been lifted out of relative income poverty since Labour came to power, according to government statistics released today. The Households Below Average Income (HBAI) 2002/03 figures also revealed that 200,000 more children had escaped income poverty in the past year.
Government hails progress on child poverty targets
Up to 700,000 children have been lifted out of relative income poverty since Labour came to power, according to government statistics released today. The Households Below Average Income (HBAI) 2002/03 figures also revealed that 200,000 more children had escaped income poverty in the past year.
14 June 2012
2% Fall In Child Poverty Figures
New official figures have revealed that the number of children living in poverty in the UK fell by 300,000 last year. Figures for 2010/11, show that 2.3 million children (18%) lived in households classed as below the poverty line, a 2% decrease on the previous year. The numbers are based on median incomes, which also went down in the same period.
2% Fall In Child Poverty Figures
New official figures have revealed that the number of children living in poverty in the UK fell by 300,000 last year. Figures for 2010/11, show that 2.3 million children (18%) lived in households classed as below the poverty line, a 2% decrease on the previous year. The numbers are based on median incomes, which also went down in the same period.
11 October 2011
Gov Tax Plans Will Increase Poverty – IFS
A report by a major economic research institute has found the Governments policies on tax and benefits will lead to a major increase in poverty over the next few years. The forecast from the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) into the UK's poverty levels up to 2021 predicts poverty will rise by about 600,000 children and 800,000 working-age adults.
Gov Tax Plans Will Increase Poverty – IFS
A report by a major economic research institute has found the Governments policies on tax and benefits will lead to a major increase in poverty over the next few years. The forecast from the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) into the UK's poverty levels up to 2021 predicts poverty will rise by about 600,000 children and 800,000 working-age adults.
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