LANGUAGE barriers, mistrust of government and a lack of awareness of financial support are leaving older people from ethnic minorities in poverty, a charity has warned.

Independent Age stressed some senior citizens are facing “unique barriers which must be overcome” as it urged Tory ministers to proactively target support at a wider range of communities.

The organisation also repeated calls for England and Scotland to follow the lead of Labour-run Wales and appoint a commissioner for older people and ageing to “ensure a diverse range of voices in later life are championed.”

The charity’s head of policy and influencing Morgan Vine said: “While older people on a low income face many similar challenges, our findings clearly show that minoritised ethnic communities are facing some unique barriers.”

According to the organisation’s latest research, many over-65s from ethnic minorities are forced to “skip meals or are afraid to turn the lights on,” warned Mr Vine, who demanded action from Downing Street to “break down obstacles that are stopping eligible people from receiving the financial support they are entitled to.”

Independent Age said its analysis of already released government data shows that 29 per cent of older Asian or British-Asian people and a quarter of older African, Caribbean and black British citizens are living in poverty — higher than the overall pensioner poverty rate of 18 per cent.

Fewer senior citizens from black and Asian communities own their homes, leaving many to compete for depleted social housing stock or facing more expensive private rentals, the study found. 

It added that language differences are an obstacle to employment opportunities and accessing social security for some, others have suffered racism and discrimination, while many reported an “alarming mistrust of government” following the Windrush scandal.