§ Mr. BercowTo ask the President of the Council what his Department's policy is towards age discrimination. [42576]
§ Mr. Robin CookMy Department is planning to review its policies and procedures to integrate age discrimination and has a commitment that there should be no unfair treatment of staff on the basis of age. The Privy Council Office has implemented the recommendations of the Performance and Innovation Unit report 'Winning the Generation Game' in particular that permanent staff can stay on up to the age of 65 subject to operational requirements.
My Department currently employs two staff who are beyond retirement age: bot are fee paid and employed for their skills and to meet the needs of the department. My Department has also taken advantage of the New Deal for Over-50s.