§ 64. Mr. Andrew MitchellTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what advice his Department is issuing to employers about employing those drawing retirement pension.
§ Mr. NichollsThe Government believe that employers should see older workers as a valuable resource. Demographic trends mean it is more important than ever that employers use the talents which older workers can contribute to the economy. Although recruitment decisions must be left to employers, in making them they should not discriminate unfairly on age grounds. They should also be considering how best to use workers who want to continue beyond retirement pension age. We are putting these messages across to employers through various media, thus creating opportunities for workers over retirement pension age to remain in or return to employment if they so wish.