Saving the Free TV Licence

June 21, 2019September 13, 2019 Age UK LondonCampaigns

“When mobility issues mean you struggle to get out and about, the TV helps you stay connected. When money is a constant worry, it’s a way to escape. And when you spend your days alone, it gives you something to rely on, something to look forward to. For over a million of the oldest people in our society, TV is their main form of company. It’s not just ‘the box in the corner’, it’s a window to the world, and a human voice when they’ve not spoken to another person in days.”

Following the news that the BBC plans to means test the TV licence for the over 75s, we explain why the free TV licence is such a valuable resource and why means testing isn’t as fair as you might think.

Mixed messages, mixed-age couples and Universal Credit

February 22, 2019February 21, 2019 Paul TreloarFinance

“Age UK has already been contacted by couples where the younger partner is providing care for the older partner and who are extremely concerned about both the financial loss and their ability to manage the work-seeking requirements whilst also maintaining care for their partner. Age UK has highlighted that this policy could produce the absurd situation where a single pensioner would be better off separating and living apart from their partner, due to the simple fact that Pension Credit for a single person pays more than Universal Credit does to a couple.”

Universal Credit has been prominent in the news lately, but did you know that from 15 May onwards, mixed-age couples will both need to reach State Pension age to claim for Pension Credit? Age UK’s Paul Treloar explains it all…

Scams: Are Older People More at Risk?

April 14, 2017April 13, 2017 George HarveyFinance

This past Monday saw Age UK London work alongside London Trading Standards to host a Scams Awareness Workshop for local residents and businesspeople. Unfortunately we heard a number of very worrying statistics with huge ramifications for older people in London.

Attendance Allowance – A Vital Lifeline

September 12, 2016January 19, 2017 Gordon DeucharsCare

Attendance Allowance is a weekly payment that allows disabled older people to meet some of the extra costs that they face. It is a lifeline for over a million older people, allowing many to go on living independently in their homes. Now the Government is proposing to devolve it to local Councils instead of distributing the money centrally as happens at the moment. It is part of a consultation on local government finance, following the decision to allow Councils to keep 100% of local business rates – link to consultation open till 26 September. This is worrying for more than […]

The Great Cheque Sham

August 10, 2011January 13, 2017 Brenda BondFinance

“The banks are proclaiming that they have “saved cheques” and all is well with the world. This is one of the great cons of our time, in my opinion” Writes Brenda Bond. Find out why:

Budgets: Anti-Competitive Practice

July 15, 2011January 13, 2017 Brenda BondFinance

Southwark Council have decreed that SUs can only use council-managed personal budgets for services contracted by the council. If people want to use a service with which the council does not have a contract, they have to manage the budget themselves. Such a restriction is unfair, writes Brenda Bond.

Older People’s Service Cuts – End of the “Phoney War”?

June 13, 2011January 13, 2017 Gordon DeucharsFinance

It’s been striking how difficult it has been so far to find out exactly what impact public spending cuts are going to have on older people’s services across London. It has felt like a sort of “phoney war”.

Loneliness Gap – It’s All About the Cuts

April 4, 2011April 7, 2017 Sam MaugerFinance

Amongst all the news and doom of the cuts agenda, life still goes on for the many older people we work with across London. With one in five older people below the poverty line and many living alone, and many with multiple health conditions to manage life isn’t easy. As services disappear the needs of our fellow Londoners remain. There are many older people who can’t get out, who have no family or friends left who are profoundly lonely. The day centres, lunch clubs, may be considered outmoded models, but the need left behind continues. They filled the need of […]