A REPRESENTATIVE has joined calls to take action on pensioner poverty in the region.

Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Claire Baker has joined calls to establish an older people's commissioner in Scotland to act as an independent champion for the elderly across all government departments.

It comes following a drop-in event at Holyrood to discuss the need to tackle financial hardship in later life.

The event was held by charity Independent Age, which highlighted that one in seven older people live in poverty in Scotland, a 25 per cent rise in the last decade.

Its “Not Enough to Live On”: Pensioner Poverty in Scotland report is calling for the government to introduce a long-term strategy to reduce pensioner poverty.

The report, which was shared at the event, included interviews from 40 older people on their experience of living on a low income and detailed the toll that the cost of living crisis has taken on both their physical and mental health.

Many reported skipping meals, not turning the heating on or being forced to stay in the house because they can’t afford to leave their home.

The charity, supported by more than 30 organisations, is calling for the establishment of an older people's commissioner as with shifting demographics, one in four people are expected to be over the age of 65 by 2040.

MSP Baker said: “This event highlighted the need for a focus on poverty in later life at Holyrood.

“It is important for everyone in Mid Scotland and Fife to feel they have a voice, and that no matter their age, that their voice will be represented and listened to across government.

“No one should be left out of the conversation as they age.”

In the Mid Scotland and Fife region, which includes Clackmannanshire, there are more than 137,000 people over the age of 65 and an estimated 20,600 are in poverty.

Debbie Horne, Scotland policy and public affairs manager for Independent Age, added: “We’re really pleased that Claire Baker MSP came along to find out more about the issues older people in financial hardship are facing in Scotland.

“With Scotland’s rapidly ageing population, older people’s issues should be front and centre of the government’s agenda, yet we hear from older people on low incomes every day who tell us they feel invisible and like their views don’t matter.”