§ Mr. JenkinsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what strategies his Department has to ensure that there is no ageism in recruitment and retention processes. [79287]
§ Hilary BennThe Home Office has made a commitment to provide staff of all ages and backgrounds with opportunities to maximise their skills and achieve their potential. This is incorporated into our employment policy on discrimination and is set out in equal opportunities statement which was revised and updated in March 2002.
The Department continues to monitor recruitment, selection and appraisal statistics to ensure that neither age discrimination nor any other form of discrimination is taking place.
Following a comprehensive review of the Department's age retirement policy, all Home Office staff below the Senior Civil Service now have the option to retire at any point between the ages of 60 and 65.
This move was reflected in the Department's recruitment policy. The Home Office will consider job applications from people up to age 64, subject to their meeting normal standards of health. Provided that there is an expectation of a reasonable period of employment and a return on the investment in recruitment and training, the primary criterion for selection will be the ability of the candidate to carry out the duties of the vacant post. In making these various changes, the Home Office is implementing the recommendations of the Performance and Innovation Unit report "Winning the Generation Game".
Separate arrangements apply to Her Majesty's Prison Service who have conducted their own review to tackle age discrimination.