smaller text
bigger textThe 800,000 pensioners who don't have mod cons
Pensioners struggling to make ends meet cannot afford many of the mod cons which the majority of Britons take for granted.
More than 800,000 elderly people lack basic household appliances like fridges and washing machines, research shows today.
One in 10 pensioners does not have central heating and over a million do not have double glazing.
Mark Neal of retirement specialist Homewise which commissioned the survey, said: "It is staggering that is 21st century Britain there are so many pensioners living without amenities and services that the majority of us take for granted.
"This is further evidence of pensioner poverty, with many elderly people saddled by growing debts and inadequate pension provision. With such a low disposable income the prospect of spending hundreds, let alone thousands on household appliances just isn't an option."
Gordon Lishman, director general of Age Concern, said: "These stark figures make clear the effects of continuing pensioner poverty.
"It's shocking that many basic household appliances are beyond the reach of older people in 21st century Britain. By any reasonable standard, fridges and washing machines, not to mention central heating, are not optional extras, but basic necessities of life and living.
"As a first step towards making these basic appliances more affordable, we reiterate our call for an increase in the basic state pension from £87.30 to £114 per week to help all older people escape the trap of a low, fixed income."
And David Sinclair senior policy manager for Help The Aged, said: "With one in five older people living in poverty it's no surprise that so many don't have access to basic household appliances. The Government's social fund, which provides support to help people buy washing machines and fridges, has a low take-up among older people because it is so poorly promoted.
"As well as reforming the social fund and ensuring older people have access to a decent pension which takes them over the poverty line, the new prime minister must put tackling pensioner poverty at the top of the Government's political agenda.
"The fact that so many older people live in poor quality housing is a real scandal and contributes to the annual 25,000 excess winter deaths."
Around 180,000 pensioners don't have a fridge and 630,000 do not own a washing machine.
A recent report from Homewise revealed around 1.2 million pensioners are living in poor quality accommodation, with defects ranging from damp to leaking roofs.
The company says around one in five of those who need to renovate claim they simply can't afford to get the work done.
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