Pensioner who couldn’t get online food delivery said she had ‘basically given up’

Charity Independent Age say hundreds of over 65s are still struggling to get food as they aren't classed as 'extremely vulnerable'.

A pensioner said she had ‘basically given up’ trying to get food after struggling to secure an online delivery slot because she is not ‘vulnerable enough’.

Birmingham resident Maggie, 73, has mobility issues and no nearby family, but does not fall into the ‘clinically extremely vulnerable’ category.

She is one of hundreds of elderly people who spoke to charity Independent Age about going without basic needs during the coronavirus crisis. She said she had ‘basically given up’, trying to feed herself during lockdown.

She added: ‘I am classed as a vulnerable person, but not vulnerable enough for someone to get in touch and say I need priority.

‘I would like to get online ordering sorted as I am an independent person, I like to do things for myself, and I feel as though I am not in control of my life because I can’t even order food from the shops.’

More than half of almost 500 over 65s questioned in a survey for Independent Age said they have struggled to get food amid low stocks and difficulties accessing delivery slots.

The charity fears that many people with significant health or mobility issues, but who fall outside the ‘clinically extremely vulnerable’ group, are not getting the support they need.

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Deborah Alsina, chief executive of Independent Age,  is calling for the government to set up an information hub which sets out supermarkets’ policies, and makes it easier for charities to be able to refer people to a food provision scheme.

‘To hear that some people who have significant health issues are not able to access delivery services is extremely worrying’ she said.

‘If you can’t walk easily, or go outside without support, there’s a real possibility you will not be getting the food and essentials you need.

‘Independent Age is calling for the Government to provide support to those who do not fall into the category of the ‘clinically extremely vulnerable’ group, but are still struggling to access food.

‘We want to ensure that everyone who needs a food parcel or priority delivery slot receives them.’

After panic buying caused UK supermarket shelves to be stripped bare, the environment minister claimed food stocks have now ‘returned to normal’.

Speaking at yesterday’s press briefing, George Eustice said at the beginning of the pandemic the country saw ‘significant’ problems in panic buying, but added ‘that episode quickly subsided’.

But he admitted that despite major supermarkets agreeing to prioritise delivery slots for those in the vulnerable group, there was still not enough capacity to meet the high demand.

He said over the next few weeks available food delivery slots across the entire supermarket chain will grow from 2.6 million to 2.9 million, having increased from 2.1 million at the beginning of the pandemic.

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