3M ARE LOCKED IN ‘UNEMPLOYMENT TRAP’

MORE than three million older workers are caught in an “unemployment trap” that condemns them to a life on the dole, according to research.

People aged 50 and above are more likely to be out of work than younger age groups, and once unemployed they find it far harder to land a job.

Almost 33 per cent – 3.3 million – of those aged between 50 and 64 in the UK are not working, figures from the Centre for Ageing Better show.

And as many as one million say they were forced out of their jobs involuntarily due to ill health, caring responsibilities or redundancy.

Some 38 per cent of unemployed over-50s have been out of work for more than a year, compared with 19 per cent of 18 to 24-year-olds.

The report claims that the employment support system is failing to help older workers.

The financial problems facing this generation are likely to worsen as the impending rise of the state pension age means millions of over-50s out of work will have to wait longer until they can receive it.

Jemma Mouland, of the Centre for Ageing Better, said: “Too many older workers are currently being pushed out of the workforce because of poor health, caring responsibilities, or redundancy.

“Given that we are all working for longer and our workforce is ageing, we need urgent action to break this vicious circle.

“Employers need to value their older workers more, offer them greater support and flexibility and stamp out ageist employment practices.”