Britain’s Forgotten Pensioners
One in five pensioners – 2.1 million – are living in poverty in the UK. In this intimate and moving portrayal of later life, Dispatches follows four older people through winter, as they struggle to make ends meet against a backdrop of sky-high energy bills and soaring inflation.
John, 76, is the last person left alive in his family. He lives on his own in Sunderland in the home he used to share with his parents, brother and sister – and every day visits their graves. His fridge is empty and switched off. At night he sits in darkness, too worried about fuel bills to turn the lights on.
On the other side of the Tyne, 68-year-old Doreen – who has only had two visitors in the 38 years she’s lived there – goes to bed early to stay warm. And in rural Leicestershire, married couple Harry, 82, and Christine, 77, are skipping dinner as they desperately try to cut costs. Harry has also had to give up his greatest passion to save money.
The stories of John, Doreen, Harry and Christine vividly bring to life the difficult decisions facing pensioners on low incomes in Britain, and put a human face on the isolation, loneliness and stress that comes with living life on the brink.
RUNTIME:
48 Minutes
PRODUCER:
Sally Wardle
DIRECTOR:
Jezza Neumann
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:
Brian Woods
RELEASED:
2023
Reviews
“This shocking film paints a harrowing picture of poverty in later life. Sadly, we know this is a reality for far too many older people who call our helpline every day and tell us they are sitting in the dark, eating less and living in a cold home.”
John Palmer, Director of Policy & Communications at Independent Age
This powerful documentary is a must-watch.
Hollie Richardson - The Guardian
John Foster, 76, tugged the heartstrings of the nation when he appeared in the Channel 4 documentary Britain's Forgotten Pensioners earlier this month.
Richard Ashmore - Express
‘Forgotten pensioner’ who broke viewers’ hearts in Channel 4 documentary reveals he has cancer
Carena Crawford - Entertainment Daily
The heartbreaking programme showed Mr Foster laying out his will and funeral arrangements before going to bed in case he died in the night.
Rory Tingle - Mail Online
Britain's loneliest pensioner reveals he has cancer - and details heartbreaking night time routine
Chay Quinn - LBC
PENSIONER poverty is “back with a vengeance”
Amy-Clare Martin - Daily Mirror
Pensioner with no surviving family lays out his will every night for whoever finds him when he dies
Callum Jones - LADBIBLE
Britain's 'loneliest pensioner' who has no surviving family reveals he is now fighting cancer - days after reducing the nation to tears over his heartbreaking bedtime routine of leaving his will out each night
Stewart Carr - Daily Mail
In his brutal struggle to survive every day, Dispatches showed John receiving help from Karen Noble - from local charity Pallion Action Group - who advised him on how to access benefits which could help pay for his bills and food.
Kelly-Ann Mills - The Mirror
A NEW documentary will lay bare the struggle of our forgotten pensioners, as statistics reveal 2.1million live in poverty.
Laura Armstrong - Sunday Mirror