The CBI has warned that moves to lift the retirement age could cause more problems than they solve.

The business lobby said that the idea being floated by ministers risks "embittering the retirement process" and could lead to a surge in employment tribunal cases.

A spokesman for the DWP told ePolitix.com: "There are no plans to change the age on which basic state pensions can be drawn.

"There are no plans to bring in a new statutory retirement age. We are working towards changing attitudes towards older working people."

Forum Response: Age Concern

Gordon Lishman, Age Concern's director general, told ePolitix.com: "The date on a person's birth certificate should never be used as the excuse to hand someone their P45. Employers will lose skilled and experienced staff if they define people on their birth-date, rather than their ability to do a job.

"No one should be forced to work in later life but should make a decision depending on their circumstances. Scrapping fixed retirement ages doesn't mean people will remain in jobs regardless of fitness and competence. Many businesses already operate effective mechanisms - other than an age barrier - to monitor and evaluate staff performance.

"The government must not backslide on its commitment to scrap mandatory retirement ages in the workplace. Introducing a compulsory retirement age would still make it acceptable for age to be used as an arbiter of workplace rights."

Forum Response: Help the Aged

Mervyn Kohler, head of public affairs, told ePolitix.com: "The policy of ending age discrimination and with it the concept of fixed retirement age is the right one. People in their 60s are fitter and healthier than ever before, and will welcome the opportunity to work longer. So to suggest a normal retirement age of 65 is a retrograde step.

"There will be teething pains as the first clutch of cases go to employment tribunals, which will be where the boundaries of the legislation will be determined. Help the Aged (and others) favours a full commission to review and advise on the development of the law, but this goverenment has so far rejected."