Commissioner calls for urgent action as 1 in 6 older people now living in poverty
A NEW report published today by the Older People’s Commissioner for Wales lays bare the scale and growing impact of poverty among older people — and warns that thousands face a dangerous winter without immediate support from both the Welsh and UK Governments.
The report, Older People and Poverty in Wales, uses older people’s own testimonies alongside the latest national data to show how widespread and entrenched hardship has become. It reveals that one in six older people in Wales now lives in poverty, with some groups hit far harder than others.
Among the starkest findings is that one in four women living alone is experiencing poverty, while nearly half of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic households are estimated to be affected. The cost-of-living crisis has pushed many more older people on fixed incomes to breaking point.
‘Heating or eating’ becoming normalised
The report highlights the “impossible choices” older people are being forced to make.
One in five has gone without heating, while a quarter have skipped meals or eaten less. These decisions are taking a serious toll on people’s health.
Cold homes increase the risk of hypothermia and worsen a wide range of conditions, while poor nutrition can exacerbate diabetes, heart disease and arthritis. Winter makes these dangers even more severe, with inadequate heating and diet contributing to higher mortality and avoidable pressure on the NHS.
In Wales alone, cold homes cost the NHS more than £40 million a year.
Commissioner calls for urgent reforms
The Commissioner, Rhian Bowen-Davies, is calling for coordinated action from Cardiff Bay and Westminster, including:
- Ending the Pension Credit cliff edge, which leaves many older people just above the threshold losing out on support worth thousands.
- Creating a Resilience Fund for older people in severe financial hardship who do not qualify for existing schemes.
- Greater investment in energy-efficiency improvements, particularly important in Wales, which has some of the oldest housing stock in Europe.
- Funding for councils to proactively identify older people missing out on entitlements and help them claim.
- Streamlined, stigma-free applications for financial support.
- A long-term national debate about the income required for a dignified retirement, forming the basis for a sustainable pension system.
The report also urges local authorities, utility companies and internet service providers to expand social tariffs and adopt wider community-based support.
‘A stark reminder’
Rhian Bowen-Davies said the findings should act as a wake-up call as the Chancellor prepares to deliver the UK Budget.
“With finances and living costs in the spotlight again this week, my report is a stark reminder of the realities faced by people living in poverty — an issue now affecting one in six older people,” she said.
“As the weather turns colder, many across Wales will be wondering how they’ll pay the bills. Too many may soon face a choice between heating or eating, putting their health at serious risk. Sadly, this has become normalised.”
She warned that discussions about cuts and efficiencies frequently overlook the cost of poverty itself.
“Cold homes cost the NHS in Wales over £40 million a year. People living in poverty are more reliant on health and social care services. Tackling poverty would save tens of millions and strengthen our public services.”
She said decisive action was needed both immediately and in the long term.
“In the short term, we need better access to support, simpler systems, the end of the Pension Credit cliff edge, improved energy efficiency, and emergency help for those in hardship.
“In the longer term, we need a national conversation about what constitutes a sufficient income to live and age well, which should underpin a sustainable pension system for the future.”
“As Commissioner, I will continue to press for coordinated action to tackle poverty and create a fairer, healthier and more inclusive Wales.”
