14% of pensioners in North living in 'severe poverty'

One in every seven older people in the North is living in severe poverty, according to a report published today by Help the Aged.

The report says 28% of pensioners are living beneath the poverty line and half of these are in severe poverty.

It also says £168-worth of benefits due to the elderly are not being claimed.

Help the Aged is describing the poverty figures as "nothing short of a scandal".