Tell Liz Truss to take action on the cost of living

We're writing to Liz Truss, our current Prime Minister, asking her to take urgent action to support older people in financial hardship to address the spiraling cost of living.

We now know that the cost of energy has risen by a huge 178% over the last year, and older people up and down the country need reassurance that the government has a plan.

Worryingly, up to 850,000 households missed out on £650 in support from the government in May, as they could receive Pension Credit but do not. So, on top of urgent action to support older people in financial hardship right now, Liz Truss must ensure, as a priority, everyone who can receive Pension Credit does so.

Add your name to our letter by filling out the form below.

Click here to read our open letter

Dear Elizabeth Truss,

We the undersigned are calling on you, as the current Prime Minister, to take urgent action to support older people in financial hardship, to address the rising cost of living.

The recent announcement about the increase in the energy price cap will be terrifying for many older people in financial hardship, who must be reassured immediately about how they can pay their bills. Support offered by the Government in May was welcome, but it’s clear now this won’t be enough to get through the winter. Without further measures, we know many in later life will avoid using heating at all this winter, which can have a devastating impact on their health.

Recent forecasts have shown that energy prices are likely to remain very high over the next year, so now is the time to show real leadership and provide reassurance to older people across the UK that the government has a plan for beyond the winter. As the current Prime Minister, on top of providing much-needed financial support now, we need to bolster our social security system to safeguard against future crises.

Worryingly, in the Government’s spring announcement up to 850,000 households missed out on £650 each because they are eligible for Pension Credit but do not receive it. This money could have made a huge difference to older people who sorely needed it. This means that financial support for older people to cope with this cost of living crisis cannot simply be aimed at people who receive Pension Credit, because not enough eligible people do. The package you must deliver as Prime Minister has to be broad enough so that all older people on low incomes are supported.

The government must ensure that older people on low incomes have enough money to live on, and that they’re receiving the Pension Credit they’re entitled to. Delivering a Pension Credit uptake strategy in your first 100 days will help build more resilience to financial shocks in the future.

Taking decisive action now will offer older people the reassurance they need about how they’ll have the money to live well this winter and beyond.

Yours sincerely

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