Dear Editor,
The Holyrood elections are fast approaching. Here’s why all candidates must make tackling rising pensioner poverty a priority.
In Lothian, 22% of older people told us they have skipped a meal, and 65% told us they are cutting back on heating and utilities. Across the region, around 13% of people over State Pension age survive on a very low income of under £15,000. None of us deserve to live our later life like this.
Many older people in Lothian also tell us they are feeling unheard, with 64% revealing that they don’t feel represented by the Scottish Government.
Without action, the number of older people in poverty across Scotland could rise by 20,000 by the end of the next Scottish Parliament. At Independent Age, we’re calling on all candidates to commit to a national pensioner poverty strategy in their 2026 Scottish Election Manifesto.
Not only is it the right thing to do, but it’s backed by the older public, with 83% of all older people in Lothian supporting the Scottish Government in doing this. We also want to see the next Scottish Government help older people feel listened to and represented, by creating an Older People’s Commissioner.
Together, we can make Scotland the best place in the world to grow old.
Debbie Horne,
Policy and Public Affairs Manager at Independent Age
