§ Mr. Russell BrownTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of staff employed within his Department are over 55 years of age; and what(a) number and (b) percentage of staff recruited over the last 12 months are over 55 years of age. [145931]
§ Ms Rosie WintertonThe information requested is as follows
Percentage of staff over 55 years of age: 7.26Number of staff over 55 years of age: 378Percentage of staff over 55 years of age recruited over the past 12 months: 3.52The Department has implemented the recommendations of the Government's "Winning the Generation Game" report. Equality of opportunity for all staff is a key feature of the Department's employment policy. There are no age barriers to employment and retirement age is determined on business needs only.