§ 29. Mr. Ben ChapmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what strategy his Department is developing to help people aged over 50 into work. [11710]
§ 33. Mr. CrausbyTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to help unemployed people over 50 years of age back into work. [11714]
§ 36. Mr. Gordon MarsdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to help unemployed people over 50 years of age back into work. [11717]
§ Malcolm WicksWe are committed to the principle of extending opportunity for all to everyone regardless of age, and tackling age discrimination in the workplace. A key element of this is the New Deal 50 plus which has already helped over 50,000 people move into work since its national launch in April 2000.
We are developing proposals to increase take up of the New Deal 50 plus training provision, and employer involvement in the programme, in the form of 3rd Age Apprenticeships. These will offer work-based training organised on a sectoral basis, making use of existing New Deal 50 plus funding arrangements, particularly the Training Grant.
The on-going Age Positive campaign is challenging workplace attitudes towards age, ensuring employers realise the benefits of employing an age diverse workforce. An extensive direct mailing initiative early in 2001 successfully targeted recruitment agencies, in addition to the Federation of Small Businesses.