HC Deb 24 July 1998 vol 316 cc717-8W
Mr. Chidgey

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what representations he has received concerning the(a) beneficial and (b) negative effects of the policy of the Employment Service not to accept vacancies which specified an upper age limit; [51638]

(2) what assessment he has made of the impact of the policy of the Employment Service not to accept vacancies specifying an upper age limit. [51639]

Mr. Alan Howarth

Responsibility for the subject of the questions has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its Chief Executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

Letter from Leigh Lewis to Mr. David Chidgey, dated July 1998: As the Employment Service is an Executive Agency, the Secretary of State has asked me to reply direct to your questions about the effects of the Employment Service's decision not to accept vacancies from employers specifying an age limit. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Agency. The Employment Service ceased to accept vacancies which include an upper age limit in late April 1998. The operation of this policy is due to be formally evaluated in the Autumn when it will have been in force for six months, the minimum period deemed appropriate to fully gauge its impact. At this stage, therefore, I am unable to provide any specific details about the beneficial or negative effects of the policy. However, early feedback from Employment Service staff working in Jobcentres indicates that the policy has been well received by older jobseekers, who view it as a positive step in helping them to secure employment. The number and nature of the employer queries we have received so far tends to indicate that employers who use Jobcentre services are generally content with the policy and are willing to accept it. We are only aware centrally of two employers to date who have wanted to place vacancies with upper age limits, who have withdrawn their vacancies as a result of our policy. A fuller picture will emerge once the policy has bedded in and the results of the evaluation are known. I hope this is helpful.

Mr. Chidgey

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when he intends to publish (i) the report on his consultations for legislation and (ii) a code of practice to cover age discrimination. [51641]

Mr. Andrew Smith

We aim to publish the report of my consultation on age discrimination in employment within the next few weeks and a draft of the Code of Good Practice for consultation in the Autumn.

Mr. Chidgey

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what progress he has made towards the publication of a non-statutory code of practice on age discrimination. [51640]

Mr. Andrew Smith

We have made good progress with a code of good practice and aim to publish a draft for consultation in the Autumn.