HSBC Scandal, Who Does Age UK Serve?

Salesmen at NHFA would set up meetings with care-home residents often after receiving a tip-off from charities such as Help the Aged – now part of Age UK
                                                                             Daily Mail

This depiction of Age UK might come as shock to some but this is certainly not the first time that older, vulnerable people have gone to Age UK because they believed they would get a good deal and have been disappointed.

Age charity accused of preying on pensioners - Daily Mail

Age UK is too commercially-driven - Civil Society

Why is Age UK exploiting elderly? -The Times

No excuses for Age UK energy deal - The Times

Age UK looks after Age UK not the elderly - IDF50

The HSBC misselling scandal yet again focuses attention on the millions of pounds Age UK makes every year by endorsing and co-branding products including financial services to elderly people.

Age UK has carefully cultivated its image as the protector of the UK’s senior citizens, and the effort has paid off impressively. Age UK’s annual report for 2009/10 reveals its income was £160.7m and according to Group finance director Charles Scott “two-thirds of our income comes from commercial areas” Scott also said the Age UK brand is now recognised by 2/3 of the UK and the charity is keen to build on this success.

Long before the HSBC scandal critics pointed out that outsourcing products means that the charity has limited control over fees and the service provided.

Age UK is now offering to repay the commissions they received from "HSBC sharks who preyed on the dying" but why have they waited till now?

Older people trust the Age UK logo but there is surely a conflict of interests when a charity that is meant to help elderly, vulnerable people, profits at their expense?

An investigation is long overdue into Age UK's commercial activities.