Pensioner David Smith never thought he would be spending his last years in poverty . The 89-year-old is one of the many retirees who still receives the old state pension of £169.50 a week which he says is not enough to get by.
This is £51.70 less than those on the new state pension for those who reached state pension age after 6 April, 2016. Mr Smith relies on the support of carers who visit him four times a day, arranged by the local council, but he says this isn’t enough for his needs.
He has to fork out on extra assistance to help with jobs such as changing the bed linen, deep cleaning the house, and sending his mail for him. Recently, he’s been feeling the pinch and told i he has had to “weigh up” whether or not he can actually afford this additional “vital” help anymore. Mr Smith, from Luton, Bedfordshire, said: “Because of my disabilities , which leave me with severely limited mobility, I have extra costs.
“I had to employ a couple of lovely carers who help me with essential day-to-day tasks. I have a lady come in to do my correspondence twice a week – she helps me send my emails, post my letters and any other tasks that involve writing. This costs me £15 per visit.
“I have to pay somebody to do my shopping for me, my laundry and all the cleaning around the house. This costs me £40 per week. “After I’ve paid for all of this support, rent, essential bills, and transport to go to my local church’s lunch once a week, I have pennies left.
“I�.