UK pensioners ‘aren’t consuming sufficient’ to allow them to pay council tax | Politics | News | EUROtoday

Elderly Brits are at “breaking point” and are reducing again on meals to allow them to pay their council tax, a number one charity has warned. Research from Independent Age discovered 27% of older individuals on a low earnings can “only just afford their essential costs and often struggle to make ends meet”.

This is up from 23% two years in the past. In this time the share of older individuals on an earnings of lower than £15,000 a yr who’re apprehensive about paying their council tax has surged from 33% to 44%.

The charity states: “Unlike many other bills, households struggling to afford their council tax cannot reduce the cost of their bill by making cutbacks, cancelling the service or shopping around for better deals. This is resulting in older people in financial hardship cutting back on other essentials, like food, to be able to pay their council tax bill.”

The common invoice for a Band D property this yr rose to £2,280 in England (+5%), £2,170 in Wales (+7%), and £1,543 in Scotland (+9%).

Independent Age discovered water costs have risen by simply over 1 / 4 in England and Wales. The share of older individuals on low incomes who’re involved about paying their water invoice has shot up from 29% in 2023 to 43%.

The group warns that some are “avoiding flushing the toilet, doing laundry less often or cutting back on showers and baths”.

One nameless participant within the analysis advised the charity: “I only use my kettle one or twice a day – more often than not just once. I flush the toilet once in the morning and once last thing.

“I use my washing machine just once a week and have a bath just once.”

The common broadband invoice has now hit £312 and 46% of older individuals on low incomes discover it a “constant struggle” – or a wrestle infrequently – to pay it. Six out of 10 have been unaware of the existence of social tariffs to assist much less well-off clients.

A 73-year-old pensioner named Glynis advised Independent Age how she had lukewarm showers in a chilly toilet and had to select between cooking a sizzling meal or turning on the heating to maintain her vitality payments down.

She mentioned: “I have been very cold and uncomfortable… These are difficult choices but unavoidable.”

The charity is pushing for a “national social tariff” for water payments in England and Wales and growing the Government’s “warm home” low cost on electrical energy payments from £150 to £400.

Chief Executive Joanna Elson mentioned: “For older people on a low income across the country, basic household costs are pushing their limited budgets to breaking point. This is not acceptable.

“We are talking about the minimum requirements for a dignified life: being able to turn the heating on in the winter, washing regularly, or accessing essential online services. High bills mean older people on low incomes are struggling to even afford food.

“The UK Government must act to protect these individuals from runaway household costs.”

Shadow Chancellor Sir Mel Stride mentioned: “Older people are paying the price for Rachel Reeves’s economic mismanagement. Thanks to her tax hikes, prices are rising – and older people are feeling the pinch.

“Meanwhile, council tax is soaring on Labour’s watch and energy bills have gone up despite Ed Miliband’s promise to bring them down, leaving families struggling to make ends meet. And Labour have already shown what they really think about older people with their attempts to cut the Winter Fuel Allowance.

“Labour are too weak to control spending, which is why they are gearing up to heap more costs on ordinary people at the Budget.”

A Government spokesperson mentioned: “Supporting pensioners is a top priority and our commitment to the triple lock means millions of older people are set to see their State Pension rise by up to £1,900.

“We also expanded the £150 warm home discount, extended water tariff support and have given an extra 57,000 pensioner households pension credit, which provides access to further support like council tax reductions and is worth on average £4,300 a year.”