HC Deb 25 November 2002 vol 395 cc114-5W
Mr. Brazier

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many people over the age of 60(a) are employed in the civil service and (b) were appointed to full-time positions in the civil service in the last 12 months. [82535]

Mr. Alexander

I have been asked to reply.

Information on the age of civil servants is collected centrally via the Mandate system, which covers about 98 per cent, of those employed, (a) In April 2002, there were 8,540 civil servants aged over 60, representing 1.7 per cent, of the total, (b) In the year to April 2002, 350 staff aged over 60 were recruited to full-time posts. This represents 0.5 per cent, of all new full-time appointees.

Mr. Brazier

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what his policy is on the employment of people over the age of 60 in the civil service. [82536]

Mr. Alexander

I have been asked to reply.

In line with all employers in the public and private sector, the Government believes that the civil service should be allowed to determine retirement age policy with regard to its business needs while giving staff as much choice as possible about when they retire. Departments and agencies are free to set the normal retirement age for their own staff subject only to the requirement that the minimum age at which civil servants can retire with full superannuation benefits is 60.

Against this background, 75 per cent, of the civil service now has the option to remain in work until 65, and a further 11 per cent, has the option to remain in work on short service concessions. Those Departments and agencies which have decided that there is a strong case for retaining a retirement age of 60 in the current circumstances will be expected to continue to re-examine the issue and look positively at offering more flexibilities to older staff.

The normal retirement age for the senior civil service is 60. However, Heads of Departments and Agency Chief Executives have the flexibility to retain members of the senior civil service beyond 60 if they judge it to be in the public interest and are satisfied about the fitness and efficiency of the individual to carry out his or her duties.