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

"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...

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

Blossoming. . . #blossom #blossoms #spring #blossoming

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

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

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: https://www.independentage.org/about-us/campaigning/mixed-age-couples #UnhappyValentinesDay #FixMixedAgeRule

It’s not just the glass ceiling, now there’s a glass cliff too ⬇️

Happy #Galentines day to all the strong, powerful, compassionate women i'm lucky enough to know and admire

Appreciate not everyone celebrates #ValentinesDay but why not spare a thought this year for people in mixed age couples living on low incomes who miss out on money they would normally be entitled to just because of who they love #UnhappyValentinesDay #FixMixedAgeRule

It's 5 years today since #JackieWeaver took charge of the parish council meeting. To mark this anniversary i'm sharing one of the funniest things I felt came out of this moment: youtu.be/TzfaZqmImLU?...

Looking forward to seeing the positive impact that this @independentage.bsky.social grant will have on older people, especially older renters, who are supported by Citizens Advice Denbighshire www.denbighshirefreepress.co.uk/news/2579151...

60,000 mixed-age couples on low incomrs are losing up to £7,000 a year because of an unfair rule meaning they can’t receive Pension Credit. This is wrong. Join me and @independentage.bsky.social by sending a postcard to your MP about this. valentines.independentage.postbug.app #UnhappyValentinesDay

While some older people can't survive on their income without working, other groups don't always have the option. We spoke to BBC #MoneyBox and @felicityhannah.bsky.social about how working past retirement age should be a choice but that this isn't always the case. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

Water bills are rising again. For the people we support at @independentage.bsky.social they can't make their budgets stretch so are forced to cut back. People on low incomes need a national water social tariff now! #waterbills #costofliving #water

Thanks so much to @moneybox.bsky.social and @felicityhannah.bsky.social for inviting me on to talk about people working passed State Pension age. For anyone doing this because you can't afford not to, @independentage.bsky.social can help with free info and advice: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...

Thanks to the Work and Pensions Committee and Chair @debbieabrahamsmp.bsky.social for inviting us to give evidence to their important inquiry on what policy interventions could be put in place to mitigate the rise of the State Pension age #StatePension #pensioners #pensionerpoverty #costofliving

Wow! Just seen @operationmincemeat.bsky.social. The 5 cast members knocked it out of the park, as did the orchestra and production team. Funny, thought provoking and poignant. What an incredible show! High recommend from me! #OperationMincemeat

Without urgent action, almost one million pensioner households will be in water poverty by 2029–30. The UK Govt has missed a major opportunity to tackle this crisis. No one should be forced to ration their water use. We need a national water social tariff. www.independentage.org/news-media/p...

Disappointing UK Govt didn't commit to a national water social tariff in their Water White Paper. Older people @independentage.bsky.social supports cut back on the amount they wash and their laundry. Postcode lottery must end. Join us to change this www.independentage.org/campaign-wit...

"Older people's budgets have been pushed beyond breaking point, and 2026 must be the year the government takes decisive action," says Chief Executive @joanna-elson.bsky.social Read the full article 👇

Our local bookshop is utterly delightful. Picked up some great purchases over the last few weeks. @beckenhambookshop.bsky.social #Beckenham #books #bookshop #reading

Want to make a difference in 2026? Become a campaigner. We helped reverse the Winter Fuel Payment changes and championed the needs of older renters in the Renters' Rights Act and Housing (Scotland) Act. We're making a difference and you can help: www.independentage.org/campaign-wit...

Just in case you're wondering, today is Sunday.

One of the best Christmassy films. Funny, poignant, heartwarming #WhileYouWereSleeping

I've made the ultimate Christmas playlist. Enjoy! open.spotify.com/playlist/5I7... #christmassongs #christmascarol #christmascarols

My bank trying to convince me it's as exciting as my Spotify wrapped 2025... I did not swipe to unwrap #spotifywrapped2025

Great to spend time with the @unison.org.uk Greater London Retired Members Group yesterday. I shared a bit about @independentage.bsky.social, the services we provide to older people on a low income, the insight they share with us, and the changes they need to see

Many newspapers and politicians have been calling yesterday's fiscal statement a 'Budget for Benefits Street'. Here's three reasons why that is not accurate 🧵

Massive congratulations to everyone who has worked so hard to challenge the 2 child limit and amplify the voices of children and families living on a low income. The policy change announced today is huge win for children across the UK #budget2025

Budget day tomorrow. Whatever decisions are taken will have a huge impact on many of us and the people we love. Here's hoping we have a bit of recalibration so that those who need to rely on our social safety net - for whatever reason - are supported rather than let down #budget #budget2026

And he did NOT disappoint #bbcstrictlycomedancing #bbcstrictly #strictlycomedancing

CEO @joanna-elson.bsky.social: Our new research paints a stark picture: far too many older people on low incomes are simply surviving, not living. But the government has the power to change this. We need meaningful support for older people in next week's Budget. www.bigissue.com/news/social-...

The rise in energy prices will come during the height of winter and could be devastating. Older people are sleeping in coats and seeking warmth in public places. They need and deserve protection from sky-high energy costs. The UK Govt can change this. www.independentage.org/news-media/p...

This week @independentage.bsky.social launched our new report looking at the impact high household costs are continuing to have on older people who are living on a low income #pensioner #pensioners #ageing #olderpeople

2 in 3 older renters receiving Housing Benefit aren't receiving enough to cover their rent. With @crisis-uk.bsky.social, we're calling on the UK Govt to unfreeze Local Housing Allowance so that no renter has to cut basics to get by. Ask your MP to act: campaigns.independentage.org/page/180937/...