§ Mr. ChidgeyTo ask the Secretary of state for Employment what instructions his Department gives to jobcentres on the circumstances in which they can include minimum or maximum age restrictions on advertised job vacancies. [23732]
§ Miss WiddecombeJobcentres are instructed to challenge age restrictions placed on job vacancies and to persuade employers to consider all job seekers on their merits. The only exception to this is where age limits are essential to the performance of the job, for example the need for the applicant to hold a driving licence or to qualify for insurance cover.
Where employers insist on imposing age limits, they are reluctantly accepted and included on the displayed vacancy details. However, jobcentre staff are then encouraged to approach and employer on behalf of an otherwise suitable jobseeker who falls outside the stated age limit.
This approach is outlined in the booklet "Too old … Who Says?, which gives job search advice to older workers. The Booklet was recently published as part of the campaign to combat age discrimination in the workplace. Copies are available to the public at jobcentres."