A gamble with pensioners’ lives: retired members confront the cost of living crisis | Article, News | News
UNISON’s retired members’ conference will be held in Telford this week, 18-19 October. The agenda includes several cost of living related motions specific to pensioners, from eating or heating to bus passes, prescription costs and state pensions.
Recent statistics show that one in five pensioners – more than two million people – are already living in relative poverty in the UK.
Chair of UNISON’s national retired members’ committee Rosie MacGregor said: “Retired members are very worried right now. I’ve had several people contact me with their concerns around rising inflation and the cost of living, who are worried about whether they will have enough food this winter.
“People are worried about having to choose between heating and eating, and I’ve already heard from a number of people who are buying blankets because they don’t think they’ll be able to afford to put the heating on. I’m also hearing from people living in rented homes, who are worried about rising rental costs.”
‘I don’t remember in my lifetime a time when things were like this’
Given the rapidly increasing cost of living, the ‘triple lock’ on pensions is a pressing concern for UNISON members, Ms MacGregor said.
“Many of our retired members have occupational pensions, but many people who have worked in low-paid jobs, who did not contribute to pension funds, are reliant on the state pension. There’s no wiggle room for rising living costs.”
The basic state pension is £141.85 per week for those born before 1951, and £185.50 per week for those born after. The triple lock is a rule that means the state pension must rise each year in line with the highest of three possible figures: inflation, average earnings or 2.5%.
Ms MacGregor said: “The government removed the triple lock for this year and have said they would reinstate it for April 2023. But with so many U-turns this government is making, there is no guarantee that they won’t renege on the triple lock.
“I don’t remember in my lifetime a time when things were like this. Liz Truss and the Tory government are gambling with everyone’s lives, particularly pensioners.”
A wealth of experience
UNISON has around 167,000 retired members, and is the only British trade union with a retired members’ group. Retired members have a wealth of experience and knowledge that make them a valuable part of UNISON campaigns and decision-making within the union.
Their conference will also hear a motion to lobby the government to introduce a commissioner for older people in England. This position exists in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
A report earlier this year from the Centre for Better Ageing found that more than 80% of respondents said the government was failing to ensure a decent life for older people, and over two-thirds of 2,000 adults in England surveyed supported the appointment of an independent commissioner to look after the rights of older people.
Ms MacGregor recommends that retired UNISON members who are experiencing financial difficulties should contact There For You, UNISON’s welfare support.
“I know there’s a reluctance among some people, who see it as charity, and either feel ashamed to show how poor they are to someone, or feel like it’s a handout that other people deserve more. But it’s there for a reason, and I always tell people ‘go ahead and do it’”.
