Tackling Poverty Update - 31 March 2025

1. Café Inc.

Café Inc. is back and the lunch clubs across Fife start on Monday 7th April. The interactive map below can be used to find out the locations, timings and offering available. To ensure it is to hand throughout the Easter School holiday’s we have pinned the information to the home page banner of the website.

Cost of Living Support

2. Older people’s Economic Wellbeing Index: Scotland 2024-25 

Independent Age has commissioned the report linked below which has been published for the first time and will be repeated annually. As a national charity focussed on improving the lives of people facing hardship in later life, they are calling on the Scottish Government to develop a Pensioner Poverty strategy.

The index revealed:

  • Just over one in five (22%) older people with an income of less than £15,000 rate their financial situation as good.
  • The number of older people in poverty is rising, with 1 in 7 currently affected, and this figure has risen by 25% in the last decade.
  • 24% of older people with a health condition are not aware of social security payments that are available.
  • 50% of older people report they have cut back on heating or utilities at least occasionally because of financial difficulties.
  • 32% of older people with a health condition have skipped meals because of costs compared to 21% without a health condition.
  • Older renters are more likely to pay for energy through prepayment meter than older homeowners.

New economic index shows brutal reality of poverty in later life in Scotland | Scottish Housing News

3. Fuel Poverty report

The Scottish Government’s efforts and progress in addressing fuel poverty over the last 3 years have been published in a new report. According to the report, 34% of households (approximately 861,000) were estimated to be in fuel poverty in 2023, an increase from 31% in 2022. Extreme fuel poverty also rose to 19.4% from 18.5% the previous year.

Tackling Fuel Poverty in Scotland: Periodic Report 2021 - 2024

4. Reminder- Annual benefit uprating

As advised back in February, April will see most benefit rates increase. The rates apply from 7th April, which is the start of the new financial year, but claimants may not receive the increased payments until later in the month if that benefit is paid in arrears.

The Universal Credit standard allowance for a single person over 25 will increase to £400.14 per month, the Pension Credit standard minimum guarantee will be £227.10 per week for a single pensioner and £346.60 per week for a couple. A full list of the new benefit rates administered by the DWP can be found here: Benefit and pension rates 2025 to 2026 - GOV.UK

Benefits administered by Social Security Scotland, such as Adult Disability Payment, Scottish Child Payment etc., will also have a 1.7% increase applied from the same date.

April is an ideal time for Fife residents to repeat a benefit check, particularly if they have not qualified before due to being just over the income limits. Please encourage people to visit Increase your income | Cost of Living Support and use the Fife Benefit Checker to ensure they do not miss out on any new entitlements.

As always, please get in touch with Sheena Watson or Audrey Whyte if you would like more information on any of this week’s content. We would also value any contributions you would like to make towards future editions.

Contact: Sheena Watson

Email: sheena.watson@fife.gov.uk