§ Sandra GidleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to abolish mandatory retirement ages. [186792]
§ Jacqui SmithThe Government are committed to prohibiting age discrimination at work and encouraging more flexibility around retirement. In some circumstances, different treatment on grounds of age can be justifiable, and last year's Age Matters consultation set out some of the issues. We are in the process of considering the best way of tackling retirement ages in the light of the responses to the consultation. Legislation will come into force on 1 October 2006.