Adequate levels of income are a crucial factor in ensuring that older people can enjoy the benefits of later life. Without money older people are unable to participate in activities that can enhance their overall quality of life.

Poverty in old age can also prevent essential home maintenance that can increase energy efficiency and reduce heating costs. It also makes it difficult to sustain the balanced diet that is so fundamental in maintaining good health.

ESF provides a link to identifying the range of universal benefits that are available to older people, and those that are available to meet specific requirements at times of need, especially if that change reduces income.

ESF will offer support, and a link to those who can help people to get the most out of their personal resources and access appropriate care.

The Pensions Service website provides useful information on pension entitlement.

4th February 2010

Plans to abolish the use of cheques by 2018 opposed

The Institute of Fundraising feels passionately that there has been insufficient consultation on the Payments Council proposals to abolish the use of cheques by 2018. This development has caused great concern to charities, both large and small: and the Institute believe there has been scant consideration of the disastrous effect this could have on charitable income.

There are many charities - in particular, but not exclusively, those who rely heavily on an older supporter base - who receive more than 70% of their income by cheque. These charities have expressed real fears that those who currently donate this way may stop giving altogether if they are no longer able to do so by cheque.

The Payment Council’s proposal may also give a ‘green light’ to banks to begin the process of phasing out cheques even earlier than 2018 – and before a viable alternative has been found. They believe that without proper consultation with those most likely to be affected by the change, this move should not go ahead.
Charities can respond to this proposal in a number of ways, and we would encourage them to support the Institute’s response by adding their voices to our campaign:

The Payments Council has agreed to meet with the Institute in February to listen to their concerns - so contact the PC and express your views. They are inviting comments from all interested organisations and have made assurances that all emails sent to them will receive a response.

More information > >

E-mail your comments and concerns

Or share your views and concerns with The Institute of Fundraising - and help them to speak out on your behalf - by emailing Louise Richards, Director of Policy and Campaigns

12th January 2010

Petition for Better Pensions

A petition posted on the 10 Downing Street website states:

"We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to press for a major increase in the united Kingdom old age pension with immediate effect as the current amount is a disgrace and the voice of the public should be heard."

Click here to add your name to the petitiion.

9th September 2009

Family Fun and Finance Day

A Family Fun and Finance Day will take place in Eastbourne on Saturday, 3rd October.

The event has come about after the Illegal Lending Money Team and East Sussex Credit Union were able to secure funding through the Recession Fund and it will be held at the Shinewater Sports and Community Centre in Langney.

The Stop Loan Sharks team will be hosting the event to raise awareness of the Stop Loan Sharks campaign, whilst also providing people with help and advice on their finances.

In addition, anyone opening a new Credit Union account on the day will receive £20.

It runs from 11:00am to 4:00pm and organisers want to hear from any organisations or agencies which would like a stand at the event.

For more information contact the Financial Inclusion Partnership Officer, Jo Clarke, on 07833 059 280.

28th August 2009

Living Longer and Lasting Powers of Attorney

Newspapers and television reports are constantly telling us that people in the UK are living longer than ever before. Whether our quality of life improves or merely its longevity is open to debate. Nevertheless, some facts cannot be ignored and one of the consequences of living longer is that more people require assistance in the latter years of their life. As you never know what’s around the corner, it is as well to be prepared for possible difficulties. Common concerns that people have when thinking about if they were to lose mental capacity in the future are; ‘who will look after my financial affairs?’, ‘what will happen to my property if I need to move into residential care?’ and ‘who will decide where I live and what level of care I require?’

The ability to cope with such an eventuality has been increased by the introduction of Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs), in the Mental Capacity Act 2005, whereby LPA’s replaced Enduring Powers of Attorney (EPA) with effect from 1st October 2007.

ESF website sponsors, Barwells Solicitors have supplied a very useful document that answers the most frequently asked questions.

Click here to read the full explanation > >

Inflation Rate for Pensioners is ‘Highest for 20 Years’, says Help the Aged

Reacting to Retail Price Index (RPI) figures, for the third quarter of 2008 released today, which show the rate of inflation for single pensioners is at its highest ever since 1988, Mervyn Kohler, Special Adviser for Help the Aged, says:

“Today’s figures show inflation for single pensioners is at its highest for 20 years.  Single older people are facing an inflation rate nearly four percentage points higher than the average rate of inflation and 1991 was the last time a two person pensioner household saw a similar rise.

“This massive hike in inflation means that more and more, older people are being forced to cut back on essential items, like food and fuel. There has been a lot of talk recently about the credit crunch, but older people in particular are getting squeezed.  It is virtually impossible for older people on low, fixed incomes to cope with the unrelenting rise in the cost of living. 

“Older people are facing a unique financial crisis and the Government should be doing everything in its power to ensure pensioners can make it through the coming winter.  At the very least the Government must ensure older people get the benefits that are rightfully theirs – more than £5 billion went unclaimed last year, sitting in the Treasury instead of helping the millions of older people who actually need it to survive.”