The NEN – North Edinburgh News

129 campaigners, led by the national charity Independent Age, have sent letters to the leaders of the six political parties expected to gain seats in May’s Holyrood election, calling on them to take action to tackle pensioner poverty.

160,000 (or one in six) older people across Scotland live in poverty. In the letter, campaigners call on politicians to make five pledges to address this growing issue, including creating a pensioner poverty strategy, appointing an Older People’s Commissioner and reducing energy bills.

Debbie Horne, Scotland Policy and Public Affairs Manager at Independent Age, said: “Campaigners across Scotland are clear: we need action on pensioner poverty. The numbers of older people in financial hardship are far too high, with one in six now affected.

“These are older people who can’t afford their rent, skip meals, heat only one room in the winter and cannot afford to meet up with a friend for a cup of tea.

“Poverty in later life is not inevitable, nor should it be. We’ve seen that financial hardship can be reduced by political action. Those standing for election in May can make later life more secure and dignified for everyone by committing to the actions our campaigners are calling for.

“In a compassionate and caring society, we should look out for each other and together end the injustice of pensioner poverty.”

The letters, each addressed to the party leaders of the six biggest political parties in Scotland, will reach their recipients this week. The letters outline what campaigners want to see from whoever leads the next Scottish Government to bring down pensioner poverty. The charity released the publication ‘Security not struggle: a manifesto to reduce pensioner poverty’ which sets out five key pledges.

This includes an action-focused, target driven pensioner poverty strategy and a warm homes programme for older people on a low income to reduce energy bills. Additionally, it calls on the Scottish Government to both improve access to and increase funding for Discretionary Housing Payments to support the rent shortfall faced by many older renters on a low income.  

Independent Age also believes that the social security system can be improved. It wants a review of Pension Age Disability Payment by April 2027, with a specific focus on introducing a mobility component. The organisation also wants to see a commitment to delivering a Minimum Income Guarantee. 

Finally, the charity is calling for the creation of an Older People’s Commissioner, who would both listen to, and be a voice for people in later life, and raise awareness of financial entitlements that older people are not receiving such as Pension Credit.   

THE LETTER READS:

Dear Party Leader,

We believe in a Scotland where older people can live with security, not struggle. Where the systems we build together provide a foundation of dignity and a life free from poverty.  

Today, 160,000 older people in Scotland are living in poverty - more than at any point in nearly twenty years – with half in severe poverty. This is not inevitable. It is the result of systems that are not delivering for older people on low incomes: gaps in social security, unaffordable rents, and homes that cannot be kept warm.  

Tackling pensioner poverty is possible through policy choices. And action by political parties in the next Scottish Parliament can progress solutions.   

We are writing ahead of the 2026 Holyrood election as campaigners supporting Independent Age, the national charity for older people on a low income. We ask every party to commit to the five demands in its manifesto, Security Not Struggle: A Manifesto to Reduce Pensioner Poverty. 

1.  Implement a national Pensioner Poverty Strategy 

Scotland has the opportunity to be the first nation in the UK to put in place a cross-cutting strategy harnessing devolved powers to reduce pensioner poverty. The changes needed to turn the tide on rising pensioner poverty include social security, housing, food and energy – it’s time for a strategic plan to reduce pensioner poverty over the next Parliament. 

2.  Appoint a Commissioner for Older People 

More than half of older people feel unrepresented by their MSPs and nearly two thirds feel unrepresented by the Scottish Government. An independent Commissioner, established in law, would ensure older people’s rights and issues are amplified, heard by decision makers and support future policy development to meet the needs of our ageing population. 

3.  Deliver a decent and dignified social security system 

Social security should be the foundation of security in later life – but too often people fall through the gaps in the system. In Scotland, we can better support older people on low incomes if we act to introduce a mobility component to Pension Age Disability Payment, a Special Recognition Payment for older carers, and commit to a Minimum Income Guarantee: a floor below which no one falls. 

4.  Reduce energy bills 

Older people are most impacted by fuel poverty; around a third of older households are in fuel poverty and half of older people live in homes with poor energy efficiency. This is a structural issue – built into Scotland’s ageing housing stock. A targeted warm homes programme for older people on low incomes, backed by properly funded energy efficiency schemes, is essential to reduce fuel poverty and help meet Scotland’s own legal targets. 

5.  Guarantee the right to a secure and affordable home 

A home is the foundation of a dignified life. Yet renters, who make up just one in five pensioners, account for nearly half of all older people in poverty, and more than 25,000 are on a waiting list for social housing. It’s time to increase Discretionary Housing Payments, build the homes older people need, and enshrine the right to housing in Scots law. 

People of all ages in Scotland support our calls for change: 9 in 10 recognise poverty is a growing problem for older people, and an overwhelming majority want more action from political parties.  

We ask each of you to commit to taking action on pensioner poverty and to support the five asks in Security Not Struggle. We believe this is the right thing to do. Older people across Scotland are counting on you. 

Yours sincerely, 

Independent Age campaigners across Scotland