§ Miss Geraldine SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps he is taking to combat age discrimination in the work force. [148964]
§ Ms HodgeWe made a commitment, last October, to introduce age legislation within six years, by signing the European Employment directive on Equal Treatment. We have negotiated a long implementation period to give us the scope to consult closely with employers and expert groups to prepare workable and beneficial age legislation.
In the meantime we will continue to tackle age discrimination by promoting vigorously the non-statutory Code of Practice on Age Diversity in Employment, which was launched in June 1999. The Code has been promoted to employers through trade press, events and awards initiatives. It sets the standard for non-ageist practices and promotes the business benefits of age diversity in the work force. We must overcome ageist stereotypes and employers need to understand that younger and older workers can add value to their business. In the years leading up to legislation, we want to take employers with us, so that they work with the spirit, not just the letter of the law. In that way we will build up the real culture change we need to overcome discrimination.