The rise in the cost of living is a reality that hits not only Spain, where the inflation has increased in recent monthsbut to other countries. This is the case of the United Kingdom and as an example, the ITV television network has interviewed several retirees who have either returned to work or are unable to make ends meet and are looking for ways to increase or complete their pensions and income by any means possible.
Pensions are no longer enough to cover their basic needs and force thousands of retirees to update their resumes and try their luck in the labor market. The need for this extra income led, for example, to a pharmacy technician to work on vehicle delivery. She’s not the only one. As appears in a report published by the English media, Janet Kane retired in 2020, just after turning 66.
But soon after he faced the harsh reality. Living alone and with little money in the checking account was impossible. For this reason, he explains to this television that he has had to rejoin the labor market and now has a position in a nursing home.
“It was impossible to get ahead by collecting only my pension, I needed a salary. And now the question is how much longer I can continue working,” he laments.
When he sits down to balance his accounts for the month, he discovers that “once I have paid my basic expenses, I have 63 pounds (approximately 73 euros) left with which I must make the purchase.” And this, he highlights, “without taking into account that current energy prices are going to continue rising.”
Seniors have to cut back on some essential services
A caregiver for the elderly, Aloma Simons, has also spoken out for MOT and explained that “we are facing a problem that goes beyond food or energy, transportation is increasing, from buses to taxis.”
For her, it is a problem and for her dependent elderly, the problem multiplies. Many of them are beginning to consider reducing or canceling their physical therapy treatments and even cutting their caregivers’ hours. “We can’t afford that expense,” said Yvonne Ewerse, a pensioner who needs help at home.
In the United Kingdom, many retirees were forced in the year in which the interview was carried out (2022) to spend their savings to cover their basic needs or do without the basics.
According to the France24 news agency, in 2026 the official growth forecast in England has been reduced to 1.1%, as confirmed by official data from the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR).