§ Ms PerhamTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the Government's policy in respect of age discrimination in staff promotion; and what guidelines are issued by(a) his Department and (b) other Departments. [31106]
§ Dr. David ClarkCivil Service equal opportunities policy (as set out in the Civil Service Management Code (April 1996)) provides that all eligible people must have equality of opportunity for employment and advancement on the basis of their suitability for the work. There must be no unfair discrimination on the basis of age, disability, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, or (in Northern Ireland) community background.
421WDepartments and agencies are required to develop their guidelines on promotion in line with this policy, as indeed my own Department has done.
My Department is currently working on guidance which will be issued to departments and agencies to help them avoid unfair discrimination on the basis of age.