§ Mr. BellinghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to her answer of 19 May 2003,Official Report, column 631W, on age discrimination, what; safeguards are in place to prevent unfair discrimination by employers against younger women in favour of older women. [121948]
§ Ms HewittWe will outlaw age discrimination in employment and vocational training from the end of 2006 when we implement the age strand of the European Employment Directive. The legislation will protect workers of all ages, and regardless of their sex. We are about to launch a consultation that seeks views on options for legislation. In the meantime, the Department of Work and Pensions' Age Positive campaign promotes the business benefits of age diversity, and encourages employers to take a non-ageist approach by referring to the voluntary Code of Practice on Age Diversity in Employment.