Ban on age discrimination urged

Campaigners have called for a ban on age discrimination to be written into law.

Help the Aged warned on Friday that the government is losing support among older people and must act to legislate on equal access to jobs and services.

An ICM poll for the charity showed that 77 per cent of the public believe that ministers have not done enough to earn the 'grey vote' at the next general election.

And the group called on the prime minister to ensure that the forthcoming Equality Bill bans all forms of discrimination, which 81 per cent of people wrongly believe is already against the law.

It said it was "deeply concerned" that the legislation may not include a clause on age discrimination.

Help the Aged director of policy and external relations Paul Cann said: "It wasn't too long ago that Gordon Brown in his conference speech promised he would deliver an end to discrimination on the basis of race, gender, sexuality, age or faith.

"Yet rampant ageism is rife in the UK and is still perfectly legal. The prime minister must stay true to his word and ban ageism completely."

Deputy equality minister Barbara Follett said: "Any form of discrimination is completely unacceptable.

"The government has already outlawed age discrimination in the workplace and is currently looking at what more can be done to make Britain fairer through the forthcoming Equality Bill.

"Discussions are being held with key organisations including Help the Aged.

"We are an ageing society and the number of people over 85 - who are most likely to need some care - is expected to double over the next 20 years.

"The government is also looking at what more it can do to help people caring for older family members through the carers' strategy and last year introduced the right to request flexible working for carers."