Age Discrimination (Hansard, 18 December 2003)

§ Sandra Gidley
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) how many employers have adopted the voluntary Code of Practice on Age Diversity in Employment; [143855]
(2) what estimate he has made of the number of companies which have had a recruitment policy which is disposed against the employment of older workers, in each year since 1997. [143882]

§ Malcolm Wicks
The information requested is not available. However, research shows that in the 18 months after the introduction of the code in June 1999 that awareness of the code rose from 14 per cent. to 37 per cent. of employers, and the proportion of employers who reported that age was considered as a selection criterion when recruiting fell from 27 per cent. to 13 per cent. We will be commissioning further research with employers in the coming year.

§ Mr. Jim Cunningham
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps his Department is taking to persuade employers of the economic benefits of having an age-diverse workforce. [145108]

§ Sandra Gidley
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps the Government are taking to promote the Age Positive campaign among(a) employers and (b) older people. [143937]

§ Malcolm Wicks
The Government are committed to extending opportunities for older workers and to introducing age discrimination legislation in 2006. Under the legislation, compulsory retirement ages are likely to be unlawful unless employers can show that they are objectively justified.
In the meantime, our Age Positive campaign is encouraging employers to adopt non-ageist employment practises. Through Age Positive, we are promoting the business benefits of an age diverse workforce by encouraging employers to adopt the voluntary Code of Practice, "Age Diversity at Work, A Practical Guide For Business". Over 750,000 copies of the Age Positive Code have been issued to employers and individuals and it is available on the Age Positive website, which has 75,000 visits per month.
The Age Positive campaign is widely promoted to employers and individuals through advertising, the website and press features in national, local and specialist publications and at exhibitions and workshops for employers. Age Positive awards help to further publicise the achievements of businesses and individuals who conquer age prejudice.
Age Positive also works closely with organisations such the Federation of Small Businesses, Employers Forum on Age, Institute of Directors, TUC, CBI and Age Concern.