§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what his Department's policy is towards age discrimination. [42578]
§ Jacqui SmithThe aim of standard 1 of the National Services Framework for Older People is rooting out age discrimination.
The Department is committed to ensure that older people are never unfairly discriminated and has an equal opportunities policy that encompasses this. The Department's valuing diversity policy states that:
Everyone who works for the Department of Health or with it should be treated fairly and with respect. This is regardless of race, nationality, ethnicity, personal beliefs, colour, gender, sexual orientation, disability, age, responsibility for dependants, working pattern or position in the organisationAll staff are provided access to training and promotion without regard to their age—the criteria that apply relate to the individual's capability and business need.