Mr. Greenwayasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he intends to amend the age limits for statutory redundancy payments contained in section 82 of the Employment Protection (Consolidation) Act 1978.
§ Mr. CopeAs soon as legislative time is available it is proposed to increase the age limit up to which women can receive a statutory redundancy payment from 60 to 65 years to bring their position in line with the provision for men. In future statutory redundancy payments will be paid to both men and women up to the age of 65 or to the normal retirement age for the job where that is below 65 and non-discriminatory. The change will bring the provisions on statutory redundancy payments in line with those on unfair dismissal.