§ Ms AthertonTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister which Government Departments are reviewing the mandatory retirement age for civil servants. [29761]
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§ Mr. LeslieAll Departments have reviewed mandatory retirement age for their staff in the light of the "Winning the Generation Game" report from the Performance and Innovation Unit.
§ Ms AthertonTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the(a) time scale and (b) terms of reference for the review of the mandatory retirement age for senior civil servants in his Department. [29760]
§ Mr. LeslieThe normal retirement age for members of the senior civil service is 60. The main objective of the review currently being undertaken is to produce a model which will provide Departments with a range of options for managing their senior civil servants. These could include opportunities for moving to flexible working patterns as part of a phased retirement process, and mechanisms for retaining staff with strong potential beyond age 60, particularly those with key skills in such areas as project management. The time scale for implementation has not been finalised but will take account of the differing circumstances and staffing structures of Departments.