Telegraph.co.uk on June 22nd, published the following article by Emma Simon:

Budget 2010: 'Pensioners are the biggest losers'

Pensioners came out as one of its biggest losers in George Osborne's emergency Budget.

In a Budget in which there were almost no winners, pensioners, perhaps surprisingly, came out as one of its biggest losers.
True, the coalition Government has at last restored the link between the basic state pension and earnings - a link that was broken back in the 1980s and whose repair is long overdue. But this was a manifesto pledge of all the main political parties, and didn't really come as any great surprise.
Sadly, any benefit pensioners receive from this is likely to be eroded by other measures, and it is those on the lowest incomes that will feel the pinch the most.
Like every other group in society, pensioners will find that their money won't stretch as far, thanks to the rise in VAT to 20pc. But unlike other age groups, pensioners who are also basic rate taxpayers won't benefit from the 1,000 pound increase to the personal allowance.
The increase of the personal allowance from 6,475 to 7,475 pounds next year will - to some extent - mitigate against this VAT rise. But pensioners already benefit from a higher personal allowance starting at 9,490 pounds. Currently there are no plans to raise this threshold at all, so pensioners won't see any reduction in their tax bill to cushion them from the VAT rise.
Inflation is set to continue rising this year, according to figures released in the budget. This is particularly damaging for those on fixed incomes, like pensioners.
But those pensioners hoping for a bigger jump in their state pension next April, may be disappointed. The link to earnings will have been restored, but it seems cruel timing that this comes as public pay is frozen, which will depress earnings inflation.
Mr Osborne may have trumpeted his "triple lock" - which guarantees the state pension will rise by minimum of 2.5pc, or by earnings or price inflation, whichever is higher.
But what he failed to mention in his speech was that after next April's rise the key figure used to measure price will be the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rather than the Retail Price Index (RPI). CPI tends to be much lower than RPI because it excludes household costs such as council tax and mortgage payments.
His speech seemed to indicate the exact opposite. He said: "So from next year, with the exception of the state pension and pension credit, we will switch to a system where we uprate benefits, tax credits and public service pensions in line with consumer prices rather than retail prices."
A closer examination of the small print in the Budget book reveals that this exception is only a stay of execution for one year. And while there was a flurry of announcement (sic) concerning the benefits paid to families, particularly those with young children - there was very little said about benefits paid to older people.
...
But with VAT rising, capital gains tax increasing, hundreds of thousands more people being dragged into the higher-rate tax net, and low interest rates continuing to hit prudent savers - the poorest pensioners might have expected more of a helping hand, particularly from the Liberal Democrat half of the coalition.

After the Budget 2010, AFTAID are sorry to say the UK's older people will need our essential assistance even more!

COULD YOU ORGANISE A SUMMER FUNDRAISER?
Summer is ideal for organising or taking part in outdoor fundraising activities or events.
As the weather promises a more welcoming atmosphere, people love to have somewhere to go where fun can be had and a good cause supported.
There are lots of great ideas encompassing a wide variety of outdoor activities or social events that will capture the attention of friends, family, even communities.
Whatever you choose to do please make sure all the participants are safe at all times.
Take a look at our special fundraising area of the website.
Full story...
More info: How you can help

For those who need a different kind of help...
AFTAID strives to do all we can for those in very difficult circumstances but there are some aspects in your quality of life issues that we cannot help with. Thankfully we can bring those who would like a little occasional company or who do not have television but would enjoy one, a little good news.
Go to our new USEFUL LINKS page, where you will find quick access to several other charitable organisations who may be able to help you or your friends and neighbours.

More info: Link to other aid organisations

Passing on heartfelt thanks from our beneficiaries to you, our valued supporters...
"...a new cooker, which after 28 years was a real treat. Words cannot express my gratitude... please accept my deepest thanks"
Mrs T. (85) - Bromley
"...thank you to you... who have helped to give me back my independents (sic) in my home. I really appreciate it. Thank you again"
Mrs M. (63) - Northampton

More info: Beneficiaries Thank Youo: Case Studies

PICTURE: CHRIS NOBLE

What is making Freda so happy? "It has been a Godsend!" exclaimed Freda Edgar, 72, when asked about her new Riser/Recliner chair. She lives with her husband in Prestatyn and like many of our older citizens Mrs Edgar suffers from generalised arthritis. Her doctor recommended the purchase of a special Riser/ Recliner chair which would ensure Mrs Edgar had proper support whilst sitting and provide appropriate assistance to ensure she could stand up out of the chair safely. Full story...

Do you want to know about grants?
A number of individuals do write directly to us for help. But more elderly people in need 'make do', often being too proud to ask for help. Consequently most of the grants we make come as a result of an approach from other Charities, Social Services or Support Groups none of which are able to help as we can and do.
We can only make grant aid available to UK residents who are of pension age and on low incomes. The process of applying is made as easy as we can.
Full story...
More info: How we help
More info: Apply for grant
More info: Useful Links

'An invitation to be our representative cyclist
on the Ride2Raise sponsored event.

Preparations are well under way for the 600 mile cycle from Box Hill, Surrey to Edinburgh on 4-9 September 2010. The organisers, Raise Magazine, who selected AFTAID as a beneficiary of the event have also asked us if we would like to field a participant!
Calling all cycling enthusiasts!
Our trustees and volunteers have put their marathon cycling days behind them so we need your help... CAN YOU OR A FRIEND PARTICIPATE ON OUR BEHALF?

If you or anyone you know would be able to undertake the challenge with a well supported team of amatuer cyclists, please contact us directly through our registration form (click now).

If you would like to see more details go to our EVENTS page or the dedicated Ride2Raise website.

... many older people really are desperately poor - due to Britain having the most meagre State pension in Western Europe and some of the meanest means tests to punish those with modest savings ...

Exerpt from an article by Ian Cowie, personal finance editor of The Daily Telegraph March 2nd, 2010

The national rate of inflation for pensioner households has averaged 9% a year for the last four years.

OAP social care costs 'to double'

The cost of social care for the elderly is set to double in the next 15 years just to maintain current standards, according to a report by the King's Fund.

New research by the think-tank found that the bill, projected to reach 8.1 billion pounds in 2015, would hit 12.1 billion in 2026.
Should the Government introduce universal free social care for the elderly, costs would rise to 16.8 billion pounds by 2016, it said.
The King's Fund called for a "partnership" model, whereby half of everyone's care was met by the state, which would also match every 2 pounds spent by the individual with an additional 1 pound.
That would cost 10.1 billion pounds in 2015 and 15.5 billion in 2026, the think tank said.
But it would also halve the amount of people in need of care but unable to access it by 2015. With the status quo, unmet need will continue to rise.
The publication, an update of the Wanless report in 2006 which initially proposed the partnership model, comes amid intense political debate about the way forward on elderly social care. Inter-party talks on the issue recently broke down over the issue of compulsory payments, or what the Tories described as a "death tax".
Health Secretary Andy Burnham has ruled out the prospect of a 20,000 pound flat-rate levy on estates after an individual's death, but is considering a percentage levy, perhaps at 10%. The Tories are proposing a voluntary insurance scheme, which they say could be charged at about 8,000 pounds on retirement.

Spreading the message, ideas or fundraising - can you help?
Ever conscious that it is our responsibility to keep operating costs as low as possible (AFTAID have no staff for instance) we still have to bring our work to the attention of the wonderful British public who have supported us.
If anyone can offer some voluntary help in any capacity, please contact us to tell of the skills or ideas you have to offer. We will be most grateful but more importantly those we are able to help will be grateful.

More info: How You Can Helpo: Case Studies

'FORGET THEM NOT'
When our founder, the late Brian St. Clair Burke, realised in 1982 that there was a surprisingly large number of elderly people in desperate need and that they were falling through the "safety net" of Social Services, he decided to do whatever he could to help.
He had no idea that more than 25 years later applications to the charity he started would have increased to the level we currently receive...
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More info: How we help