§ Mr. PikeTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent(a) representations and (b) discussions she has had on extending age discrimination legislation to unpaid voluntary workers; and if she will make a statement. [139427]
§ Jacqui SmithThe Government have consulted widely on age issues and proposals for legislation in two consultation exercises, most recently in Age Matters this summer.
Unpaid voluntary work does not fall within the scope of the European Employment Directive. Existing legislation on race, gender and disability already has a common definition of employment and this will be used for age. We have committed to consistency in approach and definition across existing, as well as new areas of equality legislation, wherever practicable.