A leading charity delivering an essential service across Falkirk has issued a call to action following the Scottish Government's latest pensioner poverty statistics.

In the last 12 months, 6525 older people in Scotland applied for support from the Scottish Welfare Fund, and Scottish charity, Independent Age, says the latest figures make it clear the Scottish Government must act to reduce pensioner poverty.

The Scottish Welfare Fund provides grants to people on a low income and is made up of two essential factors, crisis grants, which assist in an immediate financial crisis, and community care grants, which provide the support needed for someone to live independently.

Debbie Horne, spokesperson for Independent Age, said: “The number of older people who have accessed the Scottish Welfare Fund makes it clear: we need a plan to reduce pensioner poverty.

“The Fund is a safety net for people in financial crisis, and it is a worrying sign of the times that over 6,500 older people needed to apply for it in the last year.”

Ms Horne added: “Of this number, almost 3,000 older people applied for a Crisis Grant, which, among other scenarios, is designed to help afford the basics, like food and heating.

“In modern Scotland, no one should be left applying for an emergency grant to afford these daily essentials. We can and must do more in a compassionate society to ensure older people have enough money for the essentials of life.”

For advice on saving money or accessing available benefits visit the Independent Age website.