Age UK branch to close over 'financial challenges'

A charity that supports the elderly has announced the closure of its services due to "severe financial challenges".

Age UK Lindsey, which provides support across East Lindsey, West Lindsey and North Lincolnshire, will cease operations later.

In a statement, the charity said the Covid-19 pandemic, cost of living crisis and increases in National Insurance and the minimum wage were among factors that had "placed huge pressure on available resources".

Age UK's Lincoln and South Lincolnshire charities will continue to run.

"We are deeply saddened that it has come to a closure decision and understand that this news is upsetting for everyone involved," the charity said in a statement.

"Our number one priority is how older people in the area can be supported and we are working closely with our local partner Age UK Lincoln and South Lincolnshire, looking at the best ways this can be achieved."

Age UK Lindsey said it had served the community for nearly 35 years, and thanked its clients, partners, supporters, staff and volunteers for their "unwavering support".

The Charity Commission reported that significantly fewer people donated to voluntary organisations last year when compared with 2020, likely due to financial pressures, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Last month, the rate that employers pay in National Insurance contributions rose from 13.8% to 15%, external on a worker's earnings above £175 per week. The government said it expected about 940,000 firms to pay more, 250,000 companies to pay less, and 820,000 to see no change.

Meanwhile, three and a half million low-paid workers saw their wages rise on 1 April, as the National Living Wage, paid to over-21s, went up by 6.7%, and the National Minimum Wage, for 18 to 20-year-olds, rose by 16%.

Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here, external.