London's over 60s feel undervalued, Age UK research finds

A new report suggests older people in London experience stark inequalities

Just 13% of Londoners over the age of 60 believe the capital is "a place where older people are valued", a new report warns.

New research by Age UK London found stark inequalities between the experiences of older people regarding their housing, healthcare and finances.

The London mayor and government said they were working hard to support them.

Abi Wood, the charity's London CEO, said they found that older people were unconvinced the city valued them.

She said there was a discrepancy between the quality of life of over 60s depending on their life circumstances.

She said: "Older people [over 60s] who are living only on state pensions, in social or private rented housing and who are in poor health, experience a vastly different London to their peers. Action is needed to make London work for all older people."

The report suggests 68% of older people living in inner London feel positively about living in the city, while the same is true of 52% of those living in outer London.

'Increasingly unaffordable'

Across the capital, the average was 59%, with 5% feeling negative.

The affordability of living in the capital and the provision of healthcare were both found to be of particular concern.

Meanwhile 36% of older Londoners say the city is becoming increasingly unaffordable for them, and only 37% agree with the statement: "I feel confident I will get quality healthcare when I need it".

Ms Wood said: "Decision-makers urgently need to look at what older Londoners are saying now and reflect this in every decision they make - this is the fastest growing demographic in the capital and yet this isn't reflected in decision-making."

A spokesperson for Sadiq Khan said: "The mayor is making public transport more accessible. He is cleaning up London's polluted air, which is disproportionately affecting older people.

"He is also funding support for older Londoners at risk of fuel poverty and investing in basic digital skills training targeted at older Londoners."

A government spokesman said: "This government is protecting pensioners with the biggest state pension increase in history this year as well as boosting pension credit - worth around £3,500 a year for those on the lowest incomes.

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