Iceland giving vouchers to combat the cost of living

Pensioners in the UK are set to receive a £30 food voucher by the supermarket Iceland because of the rising cost of living crisis. To do so, the chain has collaborated with The Rothesay Foundation to launch the Summer Cheer campaign, which will run until September 16th.

 

With their voucher, pensioners can purchase food and other essentials, although the voucher will only be given to individuals of whom are either living independently or with a carer. They must also be solely reliant on state pensions and benefits.

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Iceland have launched the new scheme as a development of their existing weekly over 60s discount in all stores which has been in operation since May. Since then, shoppers have been able to receive a discount on every Tuesday. Those with a voucher as a result of the new Summer Cheer scheme will be able to use their £30 voucher in conjunction with their Tuesday discount.

 

How to get one

To qualify for a voucher, you must be of pension age and living on a state pension and benefits. You must also be living either independently or with a full-time carer.

 

A story by Wales Online states that the campaign will also provide copies of financial advice produced by Age UK.

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If you would like to access the Summer Cheer scheme, you can ask at your local Iceland store. Alternatively you can call the Summer Cheer hotline on 0800 098 7877 which is accessible from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

 

Which stores will offer the scheme

 

Iceland say that the stores that will offer the Summer Cheer scheme have been identifies as the places in the UK with highest number of pensioners living in deprivation.

 

Richard Walker, managing director of Iceland Foods, said: “Since the launch of the partnership last Christmas, the cost of living crisis has taken hold of the UK, and now more than ever, people are struggling to access the food they need.

 

“No one should ever have to worry about how they are going to eat or drink, and we hope that the support we can offer across the UK will help pensioners access and enjoy a worry-free meal during this time.”

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The campaign will be distributed across the following locations

 

• Greater Manchester

• Liverpool

• Wirral

• Newcastle North

• Sunderland

• Birmingham

• West Midlands

• Glamorgan

• Newport

• North Wales

• Lambeth

• Croydon

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What are people saying?

 

Both the Rothesay Foundation and Iceland are working with Age UK to address that older people can claim all the benefits and support that they are entitled to.

 

Addy Loudiadis, of the Rothesay Foundation, said: “We hope our vouchers will provide a small amount of relief to the growing number of older people living in real financial difficulty in the UK.

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“Going forward, we are committed to working with brilliant partners like Iceland and AGE UK to help as many pensioners as possible to get access to their full benefit allowances.”

 

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