Poverty warning as food prices rise

from IC Wales

Western Mail

OLDER people are continuing to find themselves in hardship and poverty despitelast month’s drop in the level of inflation, the Universal Beneficent Society said.

The charity is also concerned by the knock-on effects of Britain’s recent floods that may result in higher food prices this winter.

It said it fears older people will suffer from rising prices on basic foods.

Michael McGrath, manager of UBS, said, “As a charity which supports the UK’s poorest older people, we are concerned about two things.

“Firstly, rising inflation during the past year has left our older population with less money in real terms, leaving them unable to make ends meet and having to penny-pinch just in order to buy the basics.

“Secondly, as floods here at home and a scorching summer in the Mediterranean have played havoc with crops, these food supplies look likely to cost more.

“A 2.7% increase in the basic state pension combined with these factors means that the poorest older people look set to struggle on for the foreseeable future.”

UBS provides lifelong financial support and friendship for older people living on low incomes.