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<p>The number of workers aged 50 and over currently in employment is at a record high
of 10.1 million - an increase of 1.4 million over the last 5 years and an increase
of 2.2 million over the last 10 years.</p><p> </p><p>The Equality Act 2010, already
provides strong protection against direct and indirect age discrimination in employment
and makes it unlawful for an employer or an employment service provider such as a
recruitment agency, to discriminate against an older employee or job applicant because
of their age, and this applies both where the employer is making arrangements to fill
a job, and in respect of anything done during the course of a person’s employment.
DWP continues to work with businesses and stakeholder organisations to support older
workers to remain in and return to work and challenge outdated perceptions about older
workers.</p><p> </p><p>The Government is committed to supporting people aged 50 and
over to remain in and return to the labour market and in Feb 2017, published a new
strategy ‘Fuller Working Lives: A Partnership Approach’. The Strategy is led by employers,
but also sets out the case for action by individuals, and the role of Government in
supporting older workers to remain in and return to work. The Strategy and supporting
evidence base are available on the gov.uk website. Additionally, the Government announced
a National Retraining Scheme in the Autumn Budget 2017 - an ambitious, far-reaching
programme to drive adult learning and retraining. The National Retraining Scheme will
give individuals the skills they need to progress in work, redirect their careers
and secure the high-paid, high-skilled jobs of the future, focusing on those individuals
and places who need it most.</p>
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