MPs ‘could do better’ on older workers

18/06/2008

MPs want more emphasis to be placed on the contribution older workers can make to businesses, new research has found.

The survey, by The Age and Employment Network (TAEN), showed MPs believe older workers’ contributions to the workforce is routinely overlooked. More than 80% agreed more training and information about issues concerning the ageing workforce is needed.

Six out of ten said they believe issues surrounding the skills needs and employment of older people affects their local economies, while a further 60% said constituents have raised issues with them relating to discrimination.

Less than 40% were aware of the ‘considerable barriers’ facing older people who want to work. These can include lack of access to training, lack of suitable employment to match skills, forced retirement, and too much emphasis being placed on qualifications, rather than skills and experience.

Just one in four said the need to engage older people in the workforce is ‘well understood’ among businesses, while more than 60% said such issues are ‘not well understood’ in their constituency.

Chris Ball, TAEN’s chief executive, said it is encouraging to see MPs wishing to learn more about the issues surrounding older workers.

“The government wants to increase the overall employment rate of people of working age from 75% to 80%, yet in our survey MPs report little is being done to address a range of issues around age discrimination, demographics and skills shortages,” he said.

“There are variations, of course, with some areas of the country appearing to be more acutely affected than others – but the overall verdict appears to be ‘could do better’. “