Pensioners have taken to the streets in protest – do they need a dedicated advocate? (Image: Getty)
Campaigners say an Older People’s Commissioner is needed to defend pensioners after a series of high-profile blows.
Wales and Northern Ireland have commissioners to defend the interests of the elderly but no such role exists in England.
Commissioners are “urgently” needed for all parts of the UK, according to Sally Tsoukaris, who is general secretary of the Civil Service Pensioners’ Alliance and spokeswoman for Later Life Ambitions, which represents more than a quarter of a million pensioners.
She warned that since Labour took power in July “many older voters have seen their social safety nets frayed to breaking point” and condemned the scrapping of universal winter fuel payments.
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She said: “Coupled with the treatment of the Waspi women and the freeze on tax thresholds pushing millions more pensioners into poverty, the Government’s approach signals a worrying disregard for older people; 2024 has thus shown the urgent need for Older People’s Commissioners nationwide.”
Former pensions minister Baroness Altmann said a commissioner would “be able to focus on the specific needs and challenges for older citizens who are too often marginalised by society,” adding: “Labour’s actions so far make it clear that pensioners are not a public spending priority.”
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Morgan Vine of Independent Age said: “We believe those in later life in England need an independent champion in the form of a Commissioner for Older People and Ageing who can amplify their voices and advocate for change, and we are urging the Government to introduce one.”
The Government insists it is “committed to supporting pensioners”, with “millions set to see their rise by up to £1,900 this parliament” as a result of the which ensures pensions increase keep pace with inflation and wage rises and go up by at least 2.5 per cent per year. It is also encouraging everyone eligible to apply for pension credit support – which unlocks winter fuel payments – which “is worth on average £4,200”.