London's elderly 'skipping meals'

About 45% of older people are cutting back on electricity use

Nearly one in four older people in London skip meals to save money, research from a charity has shown.

The survey by Age Concern and Help the Aged also shows 49% of older people are struggling to afford essential items.

The poll revealed 66% of people in London aged 60 and over are not confident the government will help older people cope during the recession.

The merged charities want the government to ensure investment to help the economy also benefits older people.

The survey also showed about two fifths (39%) of older people in London are cutting back on socialising, electricity (45%) and gas (40%).

CHARITY'S BUDGET WISH LIST

A commitment to move quickly to roll out automatic payment of income-related benefits

A package of measures to assist low income savers who have seen the income they rely on from modest savings eroded by cuts in interest rates

Maintaining the Winter Fuel Payment and Cold Weather Payment at current levels

Emergency funding of at least £1bn to enable local authorities to increase access to care services

A new comprehensive programme to improve the energy efficiency of housing stock and other urgent measures to tackle fuel poverty

And more than one third of people in London aged 60 and over (35%) are cutting back on food.

Ahead of the Budget next week, Age Concern and Help the Aged is warning many older people, particularly the oldest and poorest pensioners, are among the worst hit by high prices.

It is also launching its More Money in Your Pocket campaign to help older people receive the benefits that are rightfully theirs.

Michelle Mitchell, Charity Director for Age Concern and Help the Aged, said: "Many older people in London are being clobbered by high prices and are being pushed to extreme measures to cope financially - the government cannot sit by while older people skip meals and put their health at risk.

"The state of the economy is the defining issue of our times and this year's Budget will have many demands on it.

"But the challenge to Government is to ensure that older people, and older voters in London, aren't forgotten."