Commissioner calls for greater support for older people who are struggling financially in Wales

Responding to the announcement of a new Crisis and Resilience fund to provide financial support to struggling households in England, Older People’s Commissioner for Wales, Rhian Bowen-Davies, said:

“With the announcement that a new Crisis and Resilience fund worth £1bn a year is set to be launched in England from April to provide financial support to households that are struggling, there is an opportunity to use consequential funding to establish a similar scheme here in Wales.

“This is something I have been calling for, including in my recently published Priorities for the Next Welsh Government paper, as the criteria used by existing initiatives often leaves older people who are struggling financially excluded from being able to access vital support.

“We know that financial hardship has a significant cost – both in terms of the impact on people’s health and well-being, and the subsequent increased pressures on public services.

“Investing in tackling these issues would help to prevent people from reaching crisis point, reducing costs and pressures while also – importantly – improving people’s quality of life and supporting them to age well.

“That’s why establishing a Resilience fund must be a priority here in Wales.”