A most interesting subject, I do recall the days of Age Concern and Help the Aged. They both did a fantastic job and I trusted them both to put older people first.
Since the merger creating the new charity "AGE UK", of which less than 50% of the original Age Concerns have joined. I read that the ethos has some what changed and the commercialism, linked to high salaries £100,000 + for key executives has become the norm. £190,000 for the CEO is not what I expect a charity which thrives on volunteers to be paying.
I can understand the need for a charity such as AgeUK, to seek commission for goods they promote. What I cannot condone are such high commission that are in the long run coming from overcharging older consumers living on a low income. They are in principle being deprived of lower prices because of their loyalty to an older people charity with a past respected reputation.
Perhaps, the suggestion of scutiny, and an MP's enquiry is really needed. Certainly, Age UK Enterprises Ltd is failing to live up to the same high prinicples of AGE Concern and the great respect it was held in.
James