§ Ms. RichardsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what steps he is taking to clarify employment rights and employment-related benefits to women who work between the ages of 60 and 65 years in view of the recent settlement by Barclays bank; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what assessment he has made of the implications for women in work between the ages of 60 and 65 years and their employers in view of the recent settlement by Barclays bank: and if he will make a statement.
Mr. JacksonThe Barclays bank case related to dismissal.
The Sex Discrimination Act 1975, as amended by the Sex Discrimination Act 1986, makes it unlawful for employers to set different compulsory retirement ages for men and women in comparable positions. It is for the courts to interpret the law as it applies to the facts of a particular case and we do not consider that any action is called for.
Subject to the law, terms and conditions of employment, including retirement age, are matters for agreement between employers and employees.