Older Londoners 'losing sleep over money worries'

Growing economic hardship is leaving many older Londoners anxious, causing them to lose sleep and feel isolated, according to Age UK London.

A report from the charity has found many older people struggling financially, facing digital exclusion, and having difficulties dealing with increasing costs of housing and home maintenance.

Age UK London spoke to people in the capital aged over 50 to build a picture of their daily lives in their own words.

The charity's polling found 38% of older Londoners reported concerns about getting into energy debt over unpaid bills.

Age UK London said there was "a significant and concerning lack of awareness among some respondents" about different ways to save energy.

The report said: "Many people told us how they either do not turn on the heating or find many ways to cut back."

Polling carried out by Opinium for the charity focused on how older people were managing the cost of living in a time of rising prices.

It found that one in four older Londoners said their home was colder than they would like it to be "all of the time" or "most of the time".

More than one in three (36%) older Londoners said they felt less financially secure heading into 2025 than at the start of 2024.

The government's decision in July make Winter Fuel Payments means-tested, with only households receiving Pension Credit or certain other means-tested benefits eligible to receive the benefit, has also had an impact.

One respondent told Age UK London: "Withdrawing the Winter Fuel Payments is a blow.

"A lot of struggling pensioners, who have small occupational pensions and a modest amount of savings, are not considered poor enough to qualify for Pension Credit and will lose out and may have to choose between heating and eating."

Margaret, who is retired, told BBC London she had had to sell her jewellery to make ends meet.

She said she sold a bracelet and two rings, including her engagement ring, "to a proper jewellers, but I got £127".

She added: "But it did mean that at least I had some money until the end of the month, when my pension had run out. How was I going to have dinner for the next week":[]}