New research reveals 43% of over 50s are cutting back on food spending

New research by Age Scotland has revealed that 43% of over 50s in Scotland are cutting back on food spending, while 1 in 10 pensioners are skipping meals and 18% eating less healthily due to financial pressures.

The Big Survey 2023, conducted by Age Scotland and Scotinform, aimed to explore a wide range of areas of life for people aged 50 and over living in Scotland, including their health and wellbeing, finances, housing and experiences of ageism.

Key findings from the Big Survey highlighting the impact the cost of living crisis has had on older people, include:

• 43% over 50s are cutting back on food spending.
• 1 in 10 pensioners are skipping meals.
• 76% concerned about food bills.
• 18% of respondents reported eating less healthily.
• 15% of respondents with less than £10,000 annual gross household income were using credit or taking on debt to cope with their finances.
• 60% of respondents were heating their homes less.
• 38% were socialising less.
• 5% were using foodbanks.

Age Scotland has produced a free guide to help older people navigate the cost of living crisis which is packed with advice on energy bills, tips on how to shop smart and eat well when food prices bite, recipes from top Scottish chefs, including Tom Kitchin and Tony Singh, and a directory on where to go for help.

Katherine Crawford, chief executive at Age Scotland, said:

“Our Big Survey 2023 really highlights the heavy toll the cost of living crisis has taken on older people’s financial and physical wellbeing.

“Our helpline is hearing from older people forced to make incredible difficult financial choices between rationing energy use, cutting back on food, or going into debt. Many older people are reliant on the State Pension as their main source of income and simply do not have the flex in their finances to cope with such enormous price rises.

“The devastating reality of our research is that if older people are skipping meals and eating less healthy, they are at real risk of malnutrition. What a sad position for our country to be in in the twenty first century.

“We need urgent and decisive government action to protect the millions of older people who are struggling financially but who are either not eligible for or not claiming Pension Credit. Unless further targeted support is offered to pensioners on low and modest incomes, some will be unable to weather the storm of continued high prices this winter and beyond.”

Age Scotland is urging older people to check their full benefits entitlements – claiming Pension Credit alone could have a life-changing impact by opening the door to a wealth of additional support. Any older person who is finding it difficult to pay their bills, or who is worried about staying warm, can call our free helpline 0800 12 44 222 for advice or to get a benefits check.