Poverty levels amongst older Londoners are the highest in the country, with 25 per cent of older Londoners living in poverty, compared to 18 per cent in the rest of England [1].
The number of economically inactive Londoners has risen since the pandemic. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) suggests that this increase has been primarily driven by people over the age of 50 leaving the workforce [2].
Women face specific difficulties in accessing work in later life, due to caring responsibilities for children and older, sick, or disabled family members. The employment rate for women aged 50-64 is 67.5 per cent – below that of men at 76.2 per cent [3].
Age UK suggests that digital skills are essential to addressing social isolation and accessing work opportunities. However, there are more than 200,000 Londoners over the age of 75 who do not use the internet at all [4].
The London Assembly Economy Committee will meet tomorrow to explore the challenges to living standards and financial security faced by older Londoners, including barriers to work and digital exclusion.
The guests are:
- Abigail Wood, CEO, Age UK London
- Luke Price, Senior Research and Policy Manager, Work, Centre for Ageing Better
- Tim Whitaker, Trustee, Wise Age
- Theo Blackwell, Chief Digital Officer, Greater London Authority
- Sonia Khan, Head of Policy and Strategic Delivery, Chief Executive's Directorate, London Borough of Hackney
The meeting will take place on Wednesday 15 March from 10am, in the Chamber at City Hall, Kamal Chunchie Way, E16 1ZE.
Media and members of the public are invited to attend.
The meeting can also be viewed LIVE or later via webcast or YouTube.
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Notes to editors
- Age UK London, Poverty rates amongst older Londoners have increased 14 October 2022
- Office for National Statistics (ONS)
- ONS Reasons for workers aged over 50 years leaving employment since the start of the coronavirus pandemic: wave 2 27 September 2022
- ONS, LFS: Unemployed over 12 months: UK: Female: Aged 50 and over: %: SA - Office for National Statistics 17 January 2023
- Full agenda papers.
- Hina Bokhari AM, Chair of the Economy Committee, is available for interview.
- Find out more about the work of the Economy Committee.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For more information, please contact Emma Bowden in the Assembly Media Office on 07849 303897. For out of hours media enquiries please call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the Assembly duty press officer.