§ Mr. RoyTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to help unemployed people in Lanarkshire over 50 years of age back to work. [42617]
§ Mr. Nicholas BrownPeople over 50-years-old on benefits can also take advantage of the help and support available through our New Deal 50 plus. By the end of January over 61,000 people had moved off benefits and into work nationally through New Deal 50 plus and 906 people have been helped into work in the Lanarkshire Employment Service district.
We have made a firm commitment to tackle the high levels of inactivity among people over 50 by increasing choice and opportunities for employment. We are doing this by setting the standard for non-ageist approaches to recruitment, training and development, promotion, redundancy and retirement through the Code of Practice on Age Diversity in Employment.
Our policies are having a positive effect and the national employment rate of older workers has risen for the fourth year running.