On the Edge: The impact of financial pressures on older Londoners

This report from Age UK uses qualitative research to focus on the depth and complexity of poverty amongst older Londoners, and people's everyday experiences, including those related to housing.

There are eight thematic chapters on the links between financial hardship and mental health, housing, affording the essentials, digital exclusion, caring responsibilities, accessing support, in-work poverty and the labour market, and keeping warm at home.

There are 18 policy recommendations in the report, including some for the Mayor of London and many for local authorities. When it comes to financial insecurity, people are rarely impacted by just one single issue, and the key findings from the report include: 

• Financial insecurity is leaving some older Londoners in a constant state of anxiety about the future. 
• Some older Londoners are unable to afford repairs and maintenance, leading to vital home repairs being postponed indefinitely. 
• Nearly half of respondents reported finding it extremely difficult to ‘shop around’ for more affordable prices and better deals when it comes to food shopping. 
• Caring duties impacts the ability to work for some older Londoners, with most carers only working part-time or not at all, and many not receiving any support for the care they provide. 
• Many older Londoners say that they are not receiving help with their energy bills even though they say they need it. 
• Challenges with accessing the internet, including the cost of getting online means that many older Londoners are at greater risk of financial exclusion. 
• The cost of living is leading many older Londoners to continue to work long after pension age or to return to work after a ‘first retirement’.