HC Deb 17 November 2000 vol 356 cc832-3W
Ms Perham

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what discussions he has held with the insurance industry about measures to prevent age discrimination in employment. [137623]

Ms Hodge

The Government have to date had no direct discussion with the insurance industry about measures to prevent age discrimination. However, our Code of Practice on Age Diversity in Employment has been widely disseminated and promoted across all sectors including the financial services sector.

We are supporting the Code with a series of research projects, which are looking in more depth at specific areas of age discrimination. A recently commissioned project will look at ageist barriers to employment, including insurance measures. This research will provide firm information on which to base our future discussions with the insurance sector. Findings from this research will be published during 2001.