HC Deb 23 July 2004 vol 424 c889W
Mr. Andrew Turner

To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether(a) his Department and (b) agencies for which it is responsible (i) have a set retirement age which applies to all or most personnel and (ii) have a maximum age beyond which applications for employment will not be considered; and what the age is in each case. [186087]

Ms Rosie Winterton

The retirement age for most staff within the Department and its agencies is currently set at 60. However, the requirement to retire at 60 has been amended from November this year to enable staff to remain in employment until they reach 65 years if they wish. Staff in the senior civil service may also apply to stay on beyond 60 if they wish but this is subject to approval by the Permanent Secretary, or Cabinet Office for the most senior staff.