Age Concern’s response to HSBC report on ‘The Future of Retirement’

Wednesday April 26, 2006

Gordon Lishman, Age Concern’s Director-General, said:

“A million people over 50 want to work but are unable to because of ageism in the workplace. Yet our ageing population and looming pensions crisis mean that employers will have to wake up to the value of an older workforce and scrap their ageist attitudes. Older workers should be judged on their skills and abilities, not their date of birth.

“The new age discrimination law from this October is a step in the right direction - but gaping holes mean that employers will be legally allowed to force people to retire at 65 and refuse to recruit anyone over 65. The Government must work quickly to close these loopholes. But employers must also follow the spirit as well as the letter of the law by adopting more flexible practices to attract and retain older workers, and investing in the development of their skills.”