How do we reach older folk in dire poverty – those eligible for Pension Credit and help with fuel payments?

According to Age UK, 1.6 million pensioners live in poverty, yet the latest annual Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) take-up figures indicate that more than a million pensioner households miss out on Pension Credit; about (39%) of those entitled receive it. However, even our members are reluctant to discuss personal finances.

The Basic State Pension set up in 1908, was not intended to keep pensioners poor. In the same spirit, current National Pensioners Convention policy (npcuk.org) is for the basic state pension to be set at 70% of the living wage (outside London rate) and above the official poverty level.

All men and women, regardless of their National Insurance payments would receive £242.55 a week in 2022. In addition, the state pension (basic and second such as State Earnings Related Pension Scheme SERPS) should rise in line with the best of earnings, the CPI, the RPI or 2.5%. This dignified solution would make the means-tested Pension Credit unnecessary.

Ham & High: Janet Shapiro is concerned about the relaxation of come Covid rulesJanet Shapiro is concerned about the relaxation of come Covid rules (Image: HPAG)

Members appreciate the help of those workers whose task it is to inform and help in public places and when travelling. We want a guard on every train and look for staff to help at railway stations.

The RMT is rejecting the closure of almost 1,000 ticket offices in preparation for complete online and electronic ticketing. Those adept at using computers and smart phones may cope but others will find travel made more difficult. Ownership of smart phones is increasingly assumed, regardless of the dangerous predicaments faced by those without one. IT can provide real service improvements, but many older people are left bewildered and excluded as shown by two bad experiences:

One of our senior members found recently that she could no longer buy a ticket by phone. Luckily, she was helped by the clerk at the station and a friend who had a smartphone with the right "app". She managed to board her train.

An elderly friend reported how – when expecting to go on holiday – he was dumped at the portside with no help to get back home, all because he had no smartphone proof of a negative Covid test.

The NPC is taking digital exclusion very seriously. It is recognised that younger folk are also excluded as many cannot afford the costly overheads for getting online.

Janet Shapiro is coordinator for Hornsey Pensioners Action Group.