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HALF OF PENSIONERS STRUGGLING FINANCIALLY AS FLAGSHIP BENEFIT FAILS
THOUSANDS
MORE than half
of older people in the North West are cutting back on essentials
such as heating and food and 1 in 10 – the 2nd highest level in the
country - have been forced into debt by the rising cost of living,
according to new research by Age Concern.
With a 3rd of those eligible still missing out on the Government’s
flagship benefit Pension Credit 5 years since its introduction – the
charity is calling for urgent government action to increase take-up. To overcome the deeply ingrained barriers to claiming benefits, Age
Concern wants the Government to introduce a new system of automatic
payments as soon as possible – an idea supported by 7 in 10 older
people – and reform the benefits system to help the poorest
pensioners cope with their escalating household bills.
The charity’s new report, Flagship or Flagging? – launched today
(Friday 26 September) to mark the anniversary of Pension Credit –
reveals that 6 in 10 low income pensioners in the UK are only just
getting by or are finding it difficult to manage financially. Key
findings from the report include:
* 66% of pensioners are cutting back on the amount of gas and
electricity they are using, 52% are buying less or poorer quality
food, and 49% are planning on cutting back their heating this
winter.
* 1 in 12 pensioners
overall, and 1 in 10 low income pensioners, have built up debt due
to the increased cost of living.
* Pension Credit has
made a noticeable difference to 82% of claimants and nearly all
recipients (95%) would definitely or probably recommend others claim
it.
* 56% of those
receiving Pension Credit said they worry less about essential bills.
* Awareness of
Pension Credit is generally high but 1 in 8 older people, and 1 in 6
of those over 80, have still not heard of Pension Credit.
* 7 out of 10
pensioners think that automatic payments would significantly improve
the process of paying benefits, especially if data security can be
improved.
The report clearly shows that claiming Pension Credit is making a
noticeable difference to those receiving it but the glaring problem
with Pension Credit remains its low take-up level. Despite huge
numbers of pensioners currently experiencing financial hardship, and
pensioner poverty levels recently rising for the first time in a
decade, up to £2.8billion in Pension Credit still remains unclaimed
by 1.8 million pensioners. If the benefit was paid automatically,
those missing out would be on average £1,477 a year better off.
The Government has made some efforts to improve the take-up of
Pension Credit and further positive, though limited reforms to the
claiming process are about to come into effect. But the
charity is warning that these are nowhere near radical enough to
significantly increase take-up. Furthermore, unless take-up
dramatically improves, the decision to reduce the period for which
older people can claim backdated benefits to fund these reforms will
penalise the very poorest.
Gordon Lishman, Director General of Age Concern, said:- “It is
deeply wrong that billions of pounds in benefits cash is failing to
reach the poorest pensioners at a time when thousands are feeling
forced to cut back on essentials such as food and fuel. There
can be no doubt that current measures to tackle the scourge of
pensioner poverty are falling pitifully short of the mark. Pension
Credit has the potential to lift hundreds of thousands of pensioners
out of poverty, but will remain more flagging than flagship without
urgent action to reform the faltering benefits system. Introducing a
system of automatic benefits it is the only effective way to reach
all those who need help through these difficult financial times.”
Age Concern’s key report recommendations:-
► A clear government strategy is needed to address low take-up of
Pension Credit and other benefits.
► Automatic payments
of Pension Credit and other benefits should be introduced, with
adequate data-protection safeguards, at the earliest opportunity.
► In the meantime,
older people should be able to claim all means tested through a
single telephone claim line.8 Local authorities processing Council
Tax Benefit and/or Housing Benefit claims should also routinely pass
details to the Pension Disability and Carers Service to identify
Pension Credit entitlement.
* Given low take-up
rates and the exceptional increases in living costs this year, the
Government should mount a high profile campaign to improve take up
of benefits this winter. The Government should also make an
emergency payment of at least £100 to all pensioners entitled to
benefits.
The charity is urging all pensioners who are struggling to make ends
meet to put in a benefits claim now so they don’t lose out as a
result of the backdating reductions from October 6. Any older
person, their friends or family, who would like more information
about the benefits available can contact Age Concern’s freephone
information line on 0800 00 99 66 or their local Age Concern may be
able to help. |
CHARITY ASKS TEACHERS: HANDS UP IF YOU'VE HEARD OF DYSPRAXIA?
HUNDREDS of
children in the North West could be facing a lonely and frightening
future in the classroom due to the fact that many teachers show a
worryingly low awareness of the common - Yet often misdiagnosed –
condition, dyspraxia.
The results of a new national poll of more than 1,000 education
professionals (including teachers, classroom assistants and special
educational needs co-ordinators, SENCOs) show that a staggering 81%
had never been offered specific training to help them to recognise
and support children with dyspraxia. This is despite the fact that,
latest figures estimate, that it is likely there may be 2 children
affected in every class of 30.
The survey – commissioned by the charity Dyspraxia Foundation (for
the launch of its annual campaign - 'Dyspraxia – Making Sense of it
All: The Professional Approach' 27 Sept – 4 Oct) highlights a lack
of understanding among schools in the UK with 51% reporting a lack
of awareness of the condition within their school. And, 34% of all
teaching staff questioned saying there was no official diagnostic
process in place in their school for identifying pupils with dyspraxia.
Developmental dyspraxia is an impairment of the organisation of
movement, leading to problems with co-ordination and coping with
simple tasks many of us take for granted. Frequently falling
over, difficulty walking up and down stairs, poor at dressing, no
spatial awareness, inability to remember more than 2 or 3
instructions at once, barely legible handwriting, problems forming
relationships and prone to bullying – these can be familiar symptoms
for children with dyspraxia.
Wendy Fidler, Chair of the charity's Education Committee, says;-
"We are really concerned by the results of this national survey
And are committed to raising the profile of this challenging
condition by campaigning for greater awareness among teaching
professionals – from teaching assistants through to SENCOs (Special
Educational Needs Coordinators) and Government's decision makers."
Wendy – who was also invited to attend a meeting of the 'Say No To
Failure' Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF)
dyslexia group on behalf of the Foundation in July – adds;-
"There is no cure for dyspraxia but there are many coping techniques
to help make life easier for those affected by the condition and
their families. But, it's vital that this process starts as soon as
possible before children become self-conscious or neglected in the
classroom – or worse, stigmatised and bullied."
During this annual awareness week, the Dyspraxia Foundation will be
promoting the launch of its "Classroom Guidelines"2 – which was
developed in response to an urgent need identified by professionals
working with children with dyspraxia. The charity will also be
stepping up its campaign to demand more specific training for new
teachers about special educational needs – it is believed that some
student teachers receive no more than 4 hours specialist training
within a 3-year teacher training course.
Dyspraxia affects up to 6% of the population and up to 2% severely. Boys are 3 times more likely to be affected than girls - and
anecdotal research suggests it is Likely that there may be 2
children affected in every class of 30 children.
In recent years, behavioural, social and learning problems have been
more widely recognised and many children (and adults) have been
helped with new strategies to cope with conditions such as dyslexia.
Yet understanding of dyspraxia remains low with only 58% of the
teaching staff questioned claiming to be able to recognise the
symptoms of the condition. This compares to:-
► 82%:- who could recognise the symptoms of Attention Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder
► 81%:- general
behavioural, emotional and social difficulties
► 76%:- autism
spectrum disorder
Claire Bradfield (16), who was diagnosed with dyspraxia aged 11
years, adds:- "It was only when I changed schools that I
started to feel properly supported and that the teachers really
understood What dyspraxia was and how it affected me. In my previous
school I was regularly bullied and left very much to my own devices,
which my parents and I put down to a total lack of understanding
about dyspraxia on the school's part.
I used to dread PE lessons in
particular because of my co-ordination problems and very often
pretended to be ill just so I could go home and not have to take
part.
Now, however, I attend a school with very understanding teachers and
a brilliant SENCO. Just a few simple things have made a huge
Difference, such as being allowed extra time in exams. Being
surrounded by teachers and SENCOs who really understand my
Difficulties has made my school life much more enjoyable and I now
feel I can really start achieving something."
However, as with other similar behavioural and learning difficulties
once a child or adult has been officially diagnosed, then the
appropriate teaching patterns can be implemented – usually within a
mainstream school. These can often bring quite radical changes to a
child, making a clear difference to their Day-to-day life, basic
skills and overall prognosis for living a 'satisfying and
independent' life. |
