Ageism is keeping a MILLION over-50s out of work

THE talents of a million jobseekers aged over 50 are going to waste due to age discrimination, MPs have warned.

They called on the Government to ‘be clearer’ that ageism by companies is unlawful under the Equality Act 2010.

‘It is unacceptable that the nation is wasting the talents of more than one million people aged over 50 who are out of work but would be willing to work,’ the women and equalities committee said in a report.

‘Those who wish to work should not face the current barriers of discrimination, bias and outdated employment practices.’ The cross-party group of MPs recommended that firms report on the ages of staff to tackle discrimination, similar to reporting of gender pay.

It also called for more flexible working practices to accommodate carers.

Tory MP Maria Miller, chairman of the committee, said: ‘Age discrimination at work is a serious problem. Yet despite it being unlawful for more than a decade, the scale and lack of enforcement is both alarming and totally unacceptable.

‘The Government and the EHRC have failed to get to grips with this. They must be more robust in providing a remedy to potentially unlawful working practices in the recruitment sector.’

Caroline Abrahams, charity director of Age UK, welcomed the report, adding: ‘When applying for jobs, our research shows age discrimination is still rife, with 36 per cent of 55-64 year olds feeling like they’ve been disadvantaged or treated negatively because they were perceived as being older.’

‘Alarming and unacceptable’