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| UK elderly fourth poorest in EU | UK elderly fourth poorest in EU |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| The UK has the fourth-highest level of poverty among over 65's in Europe, behind countries like Romania, European Commission figures have shown. | The UK has the fourth-highest level of poverty among over 65's in Europe, behind countries like Romania, European Commission figures have shown. |
| The figures show many pensioners here are living on incomes that are far below the national average. | The figures show many pensioners here are living on incomes that are far below the national average. |
| The charity Age Concern and Help the Aged has called on ministers to act. | The charity Age Concern and Help the Aged has called on ministers to act. |
| The figures come shortly before the Work and Pension Committee's review of government efforts on pension poverty is published on Thursday. | The figures come shortly before the Work and Pension Committee's review of government efforts on pension poverty is published on Thursday. |
| 'Shocking' | 'Shocking' |
| The EU research, which compares relative poverty in the 27 member states, shows nearly one in three UK over-65s were living in poverty in 2007, the same proportion as in Lithuania (30%), the charity said. | The EU research, which compares relative poverty in the 27 member states, shows nearly one in three UK over-65s were living in poverty in 2007, the same proportion as in Lithuania (30%), the charity said. |
| It added that in most leading European economies, pensioner poverty levels are either below or slightly above the EU average of 19%. | It added that in most leading European economies, pensioner poverty levels are either below or slightly above the EU average of 19%. |
| Brendan Paddy, from the charity Age Concern and Help The Aged, told the BBC: "The findings are quite shocking, particularly because some years ago we were beginning to see poverty amongst older people in the UK begin to drop, but that progress has now very definitely stalled." | Brendan Paddy, from the charity Age Concern and Help The Aged, told the BBC: "The findings are quite shocking, particularly because some years ago we were beginning to see poverty amongst older people in the UK begin to drop, but that progress has now very definitely stalled." |
| There's some people who are just too proud to say, you know, I'm going to actually apply for this Brendan PaddyAge Concern and Help The Aged | There's some people who are just too proud to say, you know, I'm going to actually apply for this Brendan PaddyAge Concern and Help The Aged |
| He added: "One of the big contributors has been low take-up of means-tested benefits, and one of the other big contributors has been rocketing food and fuel prices. | He added: "One of the big contributors has been low take-up of means-tested benefits, and one of the other big contributors has been rocketing food and fuel prices. |
| "The problem is the people who most need those benefits are the ones least likely to claim them. They're not on anybody's radar; not even ours. | "The problem is the people who most need those benefits are the ones least likely to claim them. They're not on anybody's radar; not even ours. |
| "Also they find the forms and process to actually claim the benefit really off-putting. | "Also they find the forms and process to actually claim the benefit really off-putting. |
| "In addition to that, there's some people who are just too proud to say, you know, I'm going to actually apply for this, whereas if it was part of their standard pension they'd accept it as their due." | "In addition to that, there's some people who are just too proud to say, you know, I'm going to actually apply for this, whereas if it was part of their standard pension they'd accept it as their due." |
| Recent research by the charity showed one in five people aged 60 and over are skipping meals to save money on food, while two-fifths are struggling to afford essential items. | Recent research by the charity showed one in five people aged 60 and over are skipping meals to save money on food, while two-fifths are struggling to afford essential items. |
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