Latest news from Loughborough University
25 January 2012 | PR 12/12
Report shows many over 60s are ‘just getting by’
An Age UK report compiled by income experts at Loughborough University has revealed many over 60s are only just able to afford the basics to get by with some skipping meals in order to make ends meet.
The report “Living on a Low Income in Later Life”, and a subsequent ICM poll, have shown nearly one in ten (9%) older people admit to be either “finding it difficult” or “really struggling” to manage on their income. An estimated 4.5 million (33%) can only just afford to buy the basics.
Experts in the University’s Centre for Research in Social Policy (CRSP) carried out in-depth interviews with individuals and focus groups to gain a detailed understanding of people’s experiences of living on a low income in later life.
CRSP Head of Income Studies Donald Hirsch explains:
“Our research shows that, typically, pensioners on low incomes find life tough but are ‘coping’. Older people with limited means are often good at making their money stretch, but this can create a huge amount of stress and anxiety.
“It may mean always having to shop around for the best deal, having little to spend on small treats that can make life easier, and living in fear of debt and hardship if prices rise or a service is withdrawn.
“And real hardship for pensioners still does exist: some pensioners in Britain today are still not heating their homes properly, or skipping meals in order to make ends meet.”
People interviewed talk of cutting back, doing without and making do while at the same time worrying about the cost of energy bills and buying food.
The report highlights some examples of “making do” such as just using a hob or microwave rather that replacing a broken oven and boiling a kettle for washing rather than heating water in a boiler. While those interviewed by researchers talk of seeking out the best bargains when food shopping and timing their shopping for the end of the day when products are marked down.
Most older people do everything they can to avoid getting into debt, and with hard work and effort they often manage day to day, but many are fearful of the future.
Michelle Mitchell, Charity Director at Age UK says:
“Living on a low income is hard work. Currently there are 1.8million people living in poverty but our polling suggests that many above the official poverty line are finding life hard.
“Older people tend to show a great deal of resilience in managing their money and eke out their income, but the report demonstrates exactly how emotionally draining it is on for older people to constantly survive on a lower income and how many are fearful of the future in the current economic climate.”
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Amanda Overend
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Loughborough University
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Notes for editors:
- The report ‘Living on a low income in later life’ can be found at www.ageuk.org.uk/. It has been produced for Age UK by the Centre for Research in Social Policy at Loughborough University and includes in-depth interviews with 25 people and five focus group discussions with people aged between 65 and 87.
- Loughborough is one of the country’s leading universities, with an international reputation for research that matters, excellence in teaching, strong links with industry, and unrivalled achievement in sport and its underpinning academic disciplines.
It was awarded the coveted Sunday Times University of the Year 2008-09 title, and is consistently ranked in the top twenty of UK universities in national newspaper league tables. In the 2011 National Student Survey, Loughborough was voted one of the top universities in the UK, and has topped the Times Higher Education league for the UK’s Best Student Experience every year since the poll's inception in 2006. In recognition of its contribution to the sector, the University has been awarded six Queen's Anniversary Prizes.
Loughborough is also the UK’s premier university for sport. It has perhaps the best integrated sports development environment in the world and is home to some of the country’s leading coaches, sports scientists and support staff. It also has the country’s largest concentration of world-class training facilities across a wide range of sports.
It is a member of the 1994 Group of 19 leading research-intensive universities. The Group was established in 1994 to promote excellence in university research and teaching. Each member undertakes diverse and high-quality research, while ensuring excellent levels of teaching and student experience.