Whilst the pandemic has been difficult for many sections of society, older people have suffered more than most. The increased threat of coronavirus to their health has increased isolation and loneliness, taking a heavy toll on the mental and physical health of older people. The economic fallout has also had a big impact on older people. Since the start of the pandemic, 24 per cent of workers aged 60 to 64 have been furloughed, lost hours and/or their pay, and may have lost their jobs completely. We know that when older workers lose their job, they often find it difficult to find work compared to younger people. It is a sad reality that those who lose their jobs between the ages of 50 and 60 years old during the pandemic may never find another job before reaching state retirement age, thus increasing poverty in retirement. It is already estimated that one in five older people in Wales live in relative income poverty—a figure that has been rising over recent years and could increase further in the coming years.

To compound matters, credit is not so easily available for older people. This is something I'm familiar with due to my experience in retail banking. The rules are drawn up so that older people are often denied access to loans they may need to meet unexpected expenses. As a result, many older people are forced to go without or turn to unscrupulous lenders with high interest rates.

A big setback to household incomes that will disproportionately older people is the extortionate rise in utility bills. Between January and October, gas prices in the UK rose 250 per cent, according to the industry group Oil and Gas UK. The failure of the Tory Westminster Government to build spare capacity and contingency plans for a sharp rise in wholesale gas prices has caused chaos in the energy market. It has left people exposed to the worst effects of the market. Older people generally have a greater need for warmth during winter, compared with younger people, meaning that energy prices will have a bigger impact on their household budgets. An estimated 67,000 older households are thought to be living in fuel poverty in Wales. We know that living in cold, damp homes is detrimental to anyone's health. This is particularly concerning for older people as winter approaches and a new COVID variant has been discovered. We must ensure that no-one in Wales goes without heating, because it will increase their risk of respiratory, heart and circulatory diseases.

I would like the Welsh Government to work more closely with the UK Government and energy suppliers to ensure a baseline of support for indebted customers. The Welsh Government should also invest in a high-profile campaign to increase the take-up of pension credit. In 2018-19, unclaimed pension credit totalled as much as £214 million. Aside from the extra cash, claiming these credits unlocks a range of other entitlements, such as council tax discounts, free dental care and help with housing costs. If the Government could do this, it could make a big difference in the lives of older people. Diolch yn fawr.