§ Mr. CallaghanTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate she has made of the proportion of the population aged 55 years and over which will remain economically active during the next 10 years; and what plans she has to combat discrimination by employers on the ground of age. [39996]
§ Mrs. GillanLabour force projections of economic activity, broken down by age, were published in the May 1996 edition of "Labour Market Trends", which is available in the Library.
Government policy is to continue to tackle age discrimination in employment through this Department's campaign for older workers. The campaign aims to persuade employers of the business benefits in recruiting, retraining and retaining workers on merit; raise awareness of the importance of older workers to the economy; and encourage older workers to remain active in the labour market.
The campaign's message, that age has no bearing on the ability to do a good job, is being carried forward and disseminated through a series of booklets—publications have been issued for employers, older workers themselves, recruitment agencies and the recruitment advertising industry—and regional ministerial presentations.
The campaign is currently being evaluated and the results should be available next spring.
§ Mr. SpellarTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will make a statement on her Department's policy on the employment of older workers. [40288]
§ Mrs. GillanThe Government's policy is to persuade employers to recruit, train and retain workers on merit, regardless of age. This is promoted through this Department's campaign for older workers.