Social Care News

Spending review 'to hit poorest over-75s hardest', says Age UK

Planned cuts for poorest older people to equal 'one third of income' says Age UK

The over-75s will be hit harder, relative to their incomes, than any other group as a result of the Government's spending review on Wednesday (Oct 20), according to Age UK.

The new independent research shows the average household with someone over-75 will lose £2,200 worth of public services per year by 2014-15 – equivalent to a sixth (14%) of their household income.

The findings indicate the very poorest will suffer the most from public spending cuts, sparking new fears that far from being ‘fair’ the coalition government’s spending plans are in fact deeply regressive.

In cash terms, the poorest over-75s will lose an average of £2,030 worth of services by 2014-15 – equivalent to a third (33.7%) of their household income. The outlook is only slightly better for the poorest 65-74 year olds, who will miss out on £1,870 worth of services by 2014-15 – just under a third (29%) of their net income.

The research shows that pensioners – who tend to have lower incomes than other groups – will largely lose out as a result of cuts to social care and housing.

Ahead of the comprehensive spending review, Age UK is calling on the Government to recognise that slashing budgets for services that people in later life rely on could have a devastating impact on the most frail and vulnerable, putting thousands of lives at risk.

Michelle Mitchell, Age UK’s charity director, said, ‘In such difficult economic times, it would be naïve to assume that older people will be offered immunity from the government’s spending cuts. But as people in later life are generally poorer and more dependent on public spending than other groups, they risk bearing the brunt of swingeing cuts unless government decisions are taken fairly and cautiously.

‘When the coalition entered government it promised to safeguard age-related entitlements and protect the poorest and most vulnerable in society. With the lives of thousands of older people at risk if essential care services are cut, the Chancellor will not quickly be forgiven if he fails to support the oldest and frailest, who rely on public services the most.’

 For more information see: www.ageuk.org.uk/latest-press/over-75s-lose-thousands-spending-review/

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