§ Mr. McCartneyTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment if the Government's "Getting On" campaign has resulted in increased recruitment and retention of older workers; what figures are available; what plans he has to commission an independent evaluation of the campaign; and if he will make a statement. [17270]
§ Miss WiddecombeWhen I launched the campaign on behalf of older workers a primary aim was to raise the profile of older workers and get the message across to employers that discrimination on the grounds of age was wasteful, shortsighted and bad business practice. I am pleased to say that we have placed older workers very clearly and firmly on the agenda.
I am glad to say that employers' attitudes are changing and that there is a greater recognition of the value of older workers. The "Getting On" booklet has attracted considerable interest since its launch in March 1993. Some 16,500 copies were issued to employers at that time, and over 8,000 have been requested subsequently by employers, researchers and individuals. Nearly 2,000 997W copies have been dispatched this year alone. In January this year I launched a booklet aimed at individuals, "Too Old … who says?". In addition to the copies being made available through Employment Service jobcentres, some 25,000 booklets have been requested.
The campaign which is still on-going will be evaluated in due course. However, it is too early to do so or to obtain reliable detailed measurements of its specific effects on recruitment and retention.