Older people are having trouble coping with the increasing costs of living and the state pension is inadequate, according to Help the Aged.

Director of policy and external relations at the elderly people's charity Paul Cann made his comments in response to government statistics suggesting that the cost of living is rising.

He said: "Council tax increases are taking an ever-larger toll on pensioners pockets, fuel costs overwhelm the annual winter fuel allowance while even the costs of basics such as food and clothes means many older people are facing tough choices this year."

Mr Cann continues to state that the government must admit that the most recent increases in the state pension are inadequate and that moves must be made to promote raised levels of benefit take-up to tackle pensioner poverty.

The charity recently welcomed plans to make it easier for older people to give feedback about the care they receive following an announcement by the Department of Health regarding the establishment of a new unified complaints system for social and healthcare.