‘We have paid our dues – it’s not fair on the elderly’

A pensioner has expressed growing worry about rising bills and believes it’s time that the Government now stepped in to make sure older people aren’t feeling the brunt of inflation.

Bill Rothwell (89), from Drimnagh, Dublin, is a widower, grandfather of six and great-grandfather of two and he, like all pensioners, has noticed the increase in his shopping and utility bills due to inflation hikes.

“I can manage,” Mr Rothwell said. “But things are getting far too expensive. Every time I go shopping, the bill seems to be going up.

“I am from a generation that has endured hard times before and while this generation have had the pandemic and now the cost of living is very high, when I was a young man, we had our own issues, such as polio and TB, as well as recessions.

“Each generation has its own challenges.

“However, I do not believe older people should have to pay the price of high inflation, when they are going shopping or paying for their gas and electricity bills.

“They have already paid their dues to society, as have I. I believe now the Government really needs to step in to do something to help older people.”

Mr Rothwell, whose wife Rosaleen died 10 years ago, added that he believes some are hiking prices when they don’t need to.

“I can see 30pc added to my bill when I go to the shop compared to a few months ago,” he added.

“
The war in Ukraine is blamed, Putin is blamed but I believe some are taking the opportunity to just increase prices across the board and it has to stop.

“I think this Government needs to help people now and do something about the increase in prices.”