Campaigners representing 250,000 older people are demanding “a fair deal” when Rachel Reeves delivers her Budget next month. Crimewatch legend Sue Cook will today launch calls for the Chancellor to protect the triple lock and reverse plans to force 1.2 million low-income pensioners to pay income tax. Campaigners also want Ms Reeves to encourage firms to employ more people in their 50s and 60s, amid fears that age discrimination is preventing people from working and providing for their own retirement, which ultimately increases costs for the taxpayer.

Ms Cook, an author and television presenter also known for Children in Need, said, “Later life should be a time of purpose, confidence and connection – not uncertainty. Older people still have a huge amount to give. With the right support and guidance, they can continue not only to enjoy full, independent lives themselves, but also giving the benefit of their insight and experience to the rest of society.”

She will launch the “Budget for Later Life” in parliament today on behalf of Later Life Ambitions, which brings together the Civil Service Pensioners’ Alliance, the National Association of Retired Police Officers and the National Federation of Occupational Pensioners.

Eamonn Donaghy, chief executive of the National Federation of Occupation Pensioners said: “It’s an unsettling time for many pensioners who have seen their spending power ravaged by inflation and who are concerned about paying for food and heating bills. The Government must not balance the books on the backs of the nation’s pensioners.”

Two million pensioners live in poverty according to official statistics, but campaigners say the number would be even higher without the triple lock, which ensures the state pension keeps pace with inflation and average earnings. They also called on the Chancellor not to impose further increases in the state pension age, due to reach 68 between 2044 and 2046, because many people spend their later years in poor health and cannot work even if they are living longer.

They also called on the Chancellor to end the freeze on the income tax threshold, which means even people with very modest private pensions in addition to the state pension are now paying tax. According to HM Revenue and Customs, more than 1.2 million additional pensioners are expected to pay income tax by 2027 as a result of the threshold freeze.

And they called for a package to help people stay in work longer to avoid becoming a burden on the state, including tougher enforcement of anti-discrimination laws, a Government-backed skills programmes for older workers and lower National Insurance contributions for firms employing over-60s.

In a report published today, Later Life Ambitions said: “The UK faces a shortfall in the workforce of one million due to early retirement and long-term sickness among over-50s.

“Yet many older people want to remain in work if given the flexibility and support.”

Other proposals include tackling the gender pension gap which sees women on average retiring with lower incomes than men, considering a minimum income guarantee to ensure every pensioner has a decent standard of living, widening access to public transport, making housing safe, secure, accessible and adaptable, and supporting health and social care.

Sally Tsoukaris, General Secretary of the Civil Service Pensioners Alliance, said: “We understand the enormous pressure facing the Chancellor but penalising pensioners in retirement is never the answer to fixing the public finances.

“Our Budget is a progressive and positive proposal for a happy, healthy and fulfilling later life which celebrates older people’s contribution to society, recognises the dilemmas and addresses the policy challenges we will all face as we age.

“We hope the Chancellor will give older people a good deal this Autumn and deliver on their promises to deliver change for a fairer Britain.”

Alan Lees, chief executive of the National Association of Retired Police Officers, said, “This year’s Budget is set to be a significant moment in the course of this parliament and the direction of this government. As such it is also an opportunity to provide a clear signal to the nation’s pensioners that their contribution to the nation, both through their working life and into later life, are valued.”

Health Secretary Wes Streeting admitted this week that the public finances are “in a challenging state” and the Chancellor is expected to increase taxes on people she considers the most wealthy in her Budget, with options including a new mansion tax which would hit owners of properties worth more than £2 million.

But other options include extending the freeze on income tax thresholds, which is currently fixed at £12,570 until 2028. With the full new state pension set to reach £12,547.60 a year in April, it means even people with no other source of income except the state pension will be paying income tax by 2027.