New figures show that there are 900,000 fewer pensioners in poverty than 10 years ago. But the mainstream media have largely reported this as 2 million in poverty.
New figures out this morning from the ONS show that the number of pensioners living in poverty has fallen by 900,000 over the last decade. But egged on by the ONS, the mainstream media have largely reported this as a snapshot rather than looking at the progress that has been made.
The ONS press release titled, “Two million pensioners in poverty in 2007/08” outlines that:
“In 2007/08, an estimated 2 million pensioners in the UK were living in poverty according to the most commonly used official measure, says a new chapter of Pension Trends published today by the Office for National Statistics. The number of pensioners in poverty has declined over the last decade, from 2.9 million in 1998/99.”
This graph shows how the number of pensioners living in poverty has fallen. Chapter 13 of the accompanying Pension Trends report says:
“In 1994/95, 28 per cent of pensioners fell below the 60 per cent threshold; by 2007/08 this had fallen to 18 per cent.”
Few news outlets have yet reported the figures and most have adopted the ONS’ headline. They only mention the improvement over the last decade in the text of the article. For example:
• Daily Mail: Two million pensioners are living in poverty – with half unable to afford heating
• Guardian: 2m pensioners in poverty, says ONS
• Press Association: Two million pensioners in poverty
Three cheers for balance to the BBC who go with “Pensioner poverty ‘drops by a third’.”
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14 Responses to “Unreported: pensioner poverty falls by 900,000”
Fony Blair
I would imagine the 900,000 decrease is down mostly to 13 years of pensioner deaths and relative poverty decreasing for those enterijng retirement rather than any wonderful policy by Labour.
Thee is only one way to reduce poverty for pensioners and that is to give them money. Labourt haven’t! Don;t talk about % increases the actual money provided is basically peanuts.
In all honesty though these figures should be used to encourage people to save for their own retirement rather than relying on the state.
Oh what was that…..Labour have decided to remove tax relief to high earners….the very same people who make decisions about pensions in organisations. I’m sure they will be really motivated to set up company pension schemes to encourage people to save.
Socialism rocks!!!
Charlotte MacKenzie
Pensioner poverty falls by 900,000 http://bit.ly/agEgiX
The Free Market
#CFP #SKP Unreported: pensioner poverty falls by a third | Left Foot Forward http://bit.ly/9qfoyE
Vladimir Klimko
#CFP #SKP Unreported: pensioner poverty falls by a third | Left Foot Forward http://bit.ly/9qfoyE http://frostfires.com/notice/288642
Will Straw
David – Thanks for pointing that out to Balham and Silent. I reprinted the graph to show all the different lines but focused on 60% since that is the accepted definition of the poverty line.
Mark – I agree that the hard to reach are a problem but lifting 900,000 pensioners out of poverty is no small achievement. For those interested, Chapter 11 of Pension Trends has lots of information about how incomes have risen since the 1990s which show that this is not just a statistical oddity.
Fony – Short memory. The Minimum Income Guarantee (introduced in 1999 and replaced in 2003 by the Pension Credit) has made a huge difference as has the winter fuel payment. Tax relief for high earners? That was clearly helping poor pensioners wasn’t it. Socialism rocks? Correct.