Thanks to Dan Walker and 5 News for shining a spotlight on the rise in people going back to work after retiring because they can't afford not to. @independentage.bsky.social help older people on low incomes every day by providing free advice and pushing for changes to the system #CostOfLiving
A beautiful and occassionally breezy day cheering on our @independentage.bsky.social runners as they triumphantly tackled the #londonlandmarkshalfmarathon So impressive. Well done everyone and thank you! #LLHM2026
Pink background with text in white reads: You took more than 26,000 campaign actions in 2025 to make sure older voices in financial hardship are heard."
At Independent Age, we campaign to make sure that no one has to face poverty in later life. Last year our campaigners made a huge contribution to improving later life for everyone.
Learn more about our work and get involved:independentage.org/campaign...
At @independentage.bsky.social we'll keep pushing for policy changes that result in more older people living a financially secure later life. Join us: www.independentage.org/campaign-wit...
There are some differences with the statistics this year - which we welcome as it means they are more accurate - but the number of older people in poverty is still too high. Learn more by having a look at this @independentage.bsky.social blog:
medium.com/independent-...
This means 1.7 million people in later life are living on low incomes; cutting back on essentials like the amount of food they eat, the water and energy they use and reducing their social connections to save money.
Today the UK Government released up to date stats on the number of people living below the #poverty line, including how many older people are in this situation. Worryingly the new data shows that the number of pensioners in poverty has increased by 200,000 compared to the year before #costofliving
An update,: it's back out
The people we support need answers urgently that make it clear what support is coming down the track so they can plan ahead as much as possible.
For anyone in later life worried about paying their bills, take a look at @independentage.bsky.social's free information: www.independentage.org
"I do feel I am just existing and surviving."
Too many older renters like Linda are counting pennies and cutting basics to get by. It doesn't have to be this way.
The UK Govt must uprate Local Housing Allowance to ensure the support covers rising rents.
inews.co.uk/inews-lifest...
We also hear regularly from people just above all the financial thresholds for means tested support, but still on very low incomes with high bills and housing costs to contend with. Any interventions also need to consider this group. #costofliving #energybills #energycosts
Not enough people get the money they are entitled to. Most recent figures show Pension Credit take up at 62%. Using this as the mechanism to target energy support at low income older people will miss out hundreds of thousands of people. Urgent progress on data matching essential to tackle this.
Good to hear the #Chancellor acknowledge in her statement today the concern felt about energy bills. That's the case for many of the older people in financial hardship we speak to at @independentage.bsky.social. Support from UK Govt would be welcome but targeting challenges will need to be overcome
Am I being a fool for considering putting away my winter coat?
Big thanks to @nevillesouthall.bsky.social for letting our @independentage.bsky.social team take over his feed today to share more information about the work we do to tackle poverty in later life
Yvonne, an older woman with short lilac hair, grins warmly at the camera as she hold a blue placard that reads: I will support changes that reduce poverty in later life.
Hello! We’re @independentage.bsky.social the charity dedicated to ending financial hardship for people in later life.
We’d like to say a huge thank you to Neville Southall for allowing us to take over his Bluesky account. Follow along to find out about our vital work!
www.independentage.org
Good to see this from @kendix.bsky.social in the Other Place. Plan to direct help via Warm Homes Discount if energy prices spike after the current price cap. We need to see details, a sensible approach to protecting people most at risk of being pulled into hunger & hardship... 1/3
If loving warm scones is wrong, we don’t want to be right.
Thanks to @bigissue.com for sharing @independentage.bsky.social new research on the impact on health & wellbeing of cutting back water usage to save money. People of all ages on low incomes need a consistent national water social tariff. Sign our petition campaigns.independentage.org/page/187255/...
In our latest blog ahead of the Scottish Parliament election, we’re exploring our calls for an Older People’s Commissioner in Scotland.
Read here: medium.com/independent-...
Sign our pledge calling for action on poverty in later life in Scotland: campaigns.independentage.org/page/185103/...
Millions cutting back on water as bills rise, putting hygiene and health at risk
www.watermagazine.co.uk/2026/03/05/m...
#WaterUsage #WaterConsumption #WaterBills #WaterCost #WaterUse @independentage.bsky.social
Support for people on low incomes to pay water bills is unfair and inconsistent, forcing many to make impossible choices to make ends meet. I've signed the petition from @IndependentAge.bsky.social calling for a national social tariff for water. Join me! campaigns.independentage.org/page/187255/...
If you live in a cold home, you feel it in your bones. And for the older #renters we speak to at @independentage.bsky.social they have very little control over the #energyefficiency of their property. UK Govt has instigated some potentially positive changes but they need to be delivered well
Book launch excitement at @dauntbooks.bsky.social celebrating the release of the Power of Anxiety written by @drsianwilliams.bsky.social Get your copy in all good bookshops from tomorrow!
"People are making quite rational choices, but really devastating choices".
Listen to @bentwomeyuk.bsky.social on how the cost of renting is holding people back and gutting communities.
Blaming net zero policies for rising bills is completely unfounded. They have soared mainly because of global conflict and gas prices. But there is a fairer way to cut costs by shifting levies off bills and onto progressive taxation.
🎥@harryqp.bsky.social on #politicslive 👇
We have a great role up for grabs at @independentage.bsky.social leading our #PublicAffairs activity. If you want to help us engage MPs, Peers and other decision makers to tackle poverty in later life, take a look! #charityjob #charityjobs #publicaffairsjobs
Group Independent Age campaigners and staff outside UK Parliament holding placards calling for changes to the mixed-age couples rule.
Hand holding Valentines Day cards with Big Ben in the background. The front of the cards read: Roses are red, violets are blue. Love shouldn't mean, £7000 less for you.
Four Independent Age campaigners stand outside UK Parliament with placards that read: Love not poverty. Up to £7000 lost. Fix the mixed-age couples rule. #UnhappyValentinesDay
Love shouldn’t come at a cost 💔
For thousands of mixed-age couples, this Valentine’s Day may not be so happy as they miss out on vital support.
Join us in our call for change: www.independentage.org/about-us/campaigning/mix...
#UnhappyValentinesDay #FixMixedAgeRule
It’s not just the glass ceiling, now there’s a glass cliff too ⬇️
