Tag: Independent Age

Over 20 organisations call for national water social tariff as water bills soar

Stuart Mitchell

Later life financial hardship charity Independent Age has teamed up with 24 other organisations to send a joint letter to the new Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Emma Reynolds, making the case for a national water social tariff in England and Wales. The letter comes as households in England and Wales are expected to spend an average of £603 in 2025/26 on their water and sewerage bill, 26% more than the year before.  The organisations regularly hear from people on low incomes who are struggling with the…

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Independent Age appoints Director of Services

Stuart Mitchell

Marios Leptos has been appointed as Director of Services at national older people’s financial hardship charity Independent Age. Marios is an experienced leader, having most recently held the role of Director of Services Delivery at Citizens Advice. He joined Independent Age on 8 September 2025, bringing with him a strong track record of supporting people through complex systems and ensuring services are shaped around their needs. He brings more than 20 years of both service delivery and change experience across the public and charity sectors and impressed the organisation’s staff…

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Tsunami of water poverty warning as polling shows how older people on a low income are cutting back on usage

Stuart Mitchell

Almost half (46%) of older adults (65+) in England and Wales living on a low income are currently cutting back their spending on their water usage either a ‘great deal’ or a ‘fair amount, according to a new YouGov poll commissioned by charity Independent Age.  During the first half of 2025 the polling found: 46% of older people on a low income reduced the amount of times they flush the toilet toreduce their water bill 41% reduced how often they use the washing machine 31% reduced how often they shower The new research…

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£1.2m grant fund launched to support older people on a low income in coastal and rural areas

Stuart Mitchell

National UK charity Independent Age is distributing £1.2 million in the second round of their Older People’s Fund. The money will fund projects that deliver practical advice and support in specific rural and coastal areas where there are a higher number of older people living on a low income including many older private renters. In each round, the Older People’s Fund aims to support one or more of six priority groups who are more likely to face financial hardship in later life based on a report published by Independent Age…

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£1.8 million boost to 13 advice charities supporting older people across UK

Stuart Mitchell

As part of its ongoing mission to strengthen the UK’s advice sector, national charity Independent Age has awarded £1.8 million to 13 advice charities. The grants will be distributed to charities across Glasgow, Newcastle, Manchester, Leicester and London who support older people facing financial hardship. This second round of funding brings the total grants awarded through Independent Age’s Boosting Advice Fund to £4.9 million. Funded projects will provide advice to support older people to increase their income and reduce their costs. This could be helping them to access financial entitlements,…

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