Cash-strapped pensioners relying on food bank services almost doubled amid a year of Tory chaos, according to a new analysis.
It shows almost 100,000 retirees lived in a household that accessed the emergency support in the year of the energy price spike and Liz Truss's disastrous mini-Budget.
Labour's analysis of Department for Work and Pensions figures shows 51,960 retirees in 2021-22 lived in a household that had used a food bank in the previous 12 months. In 2022-23 - the latest available figures - the number was almost double on 98,361.
Earlier this month the Trussell Trust - the UK's largest food bank provider - said there had been an increase in pensioners using its services. While making up a "smaller group of people who need food banks" they highlighted a 36% rise in pensioners turning to food banks between April and September 2023.
It said over 91,000 parcels were provided to households with someone of pension age.
It also comes amid warnings from Keir Starmer's party that Rishi Sunak's proposal to abolish national insurance could hit pensioners' pockets. Labour says the Tories' policy would cost £46billion and has claimed cuts to the state pension or a hike in the pension age would be needed to cover the cost.
Labour's Acting Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Alison McGovern said: "Pensioners are paying a heavy price for the economic chaos inflicted on the country by this Government. It is no wonder so many pensioners are dismayed at the state of the country, and the state of their own finances, given the number relying on food banks has shockingly doubled and 1 in 5 pensioners are now in poverty.
"Britain’s pensioners deserve certainty and stability, which is why Labour are committed to keeping the triple lock on State Pensions and why we have a plan to grow the economy to put money back into people’s pockets, to make work pay, and to once again be the party for pensioners.”
A DWP spokesman said: “We are committed to backing all pensioners, and since 2009/10 there are 200,000 fewer pensioners in absolute poverty after housing costs. With the aftershocks of Covid and the war in Ukraine driving up inflation and cost of living pressures, the Government is providing unprecedented support worth £3,800 per household over 2022-2025, which included additional cost of living support preventing 400,000 pensioners from falling into poverty in 2022/23.
“And we will keep supporting pensioners, which is why we have delivered a further increase of 8.5% last month through the Triple Lock following last year’s largest ever cash increase, taking the full rate of the New State Pension to more than £11,500 a year.”