Age Concern and Help the Aged's manifesto calls for scrapping of Default Retirement Age

Scrapping Default Retirement Age tops Age Concern and Help the Aged’s pre-election manifesto challenge, as new research shows 100,000 older workers were forced to retire last year.

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2010 international employer award launched for age-friendly companies

  TAEN – The Age and Employment Network and AARP, the US-based not for profit 40 million membership organisation for the over-50s, have launched the 2010 International Innovative Employer Award in the UK.  The award recognises employers across the world with a strong track record of innovative policies and practices that address issues relevant to older workers.

TAEN calls for repeal of “draconian” retirement law

Today (Monday 1st February), the Government closes its evidence gathering for the Review of the Default Retirement Age (DRA). TAEN – The Age and Employment Network, Britain’s centre of expertise on age and employment issues, has dubbed the law “a draconian measure which should be repealed at the earliest possible moment.”

The Pensioners’ Movement is alive and well

Despite recent claims to the contrary, Britain already has an active and vocal pensioner movement, with a shared set of aims enshrined in the ten-point Pensioners’ Charter. Dot Gibson explains.

Government sets out its stall on age discrimination

Discrimination against older people is a serious problem that must be tackled at the highest levels, Harriet Harman, Minister for Women and Equality said today.

'Saga clout' comes to Westminster

The Saga generation will have a decisive influence on the outcome of the coming General Election.  Saga has used its unique insight into this demographic and created a Saga Generation manifesto which is being presented to the leaders of the UK’s main political parties.

Retirement should be 'gradual process' says SAGA

A study published today (30th December) reveals that increasing numbers of over-50s are rejecting clear-cut retirement in favour of working in a greater diversity of paid and unpaid roles.  Commissioned by Saga, the first in a series of reports into ‘Work and Retirement’ reveals that the number of over-50s dividing their time between paid work, voluntary work and leisure time has grown by a quarter in the past decade.
 

Report calls for Scotland to unlock the potential of its 'amazing greys'

Scotland should consider its ageing population an asset rather than a liability and provide more support and encouragement to its 'amazing greys' according to a report published earlier this month by The National Forum of 
Ageing (NFA) Futures Group.

Pre-Budget support for older workers welcomed

Reacting to today’s Pre-Budget Report, TAEN – The Age and Employment Network has welcomed the announcements from the Chancellor of the Exchequer that measures will be introduced to support older people in the workplace.
 

‘Grey manifesto’ sets the agenda

Britain’s biggest pensioner organisation, the National Pensioners Convention (NPC), has kickstarted a campaign to improve the lives of Britain’s 11 million retired people - by launching a ‘Pensioners’ Manifesto’ for the forthcoming general election.

Civil Service goes 'retirement free'

The Civil Service has announced that by 2010 it will be completely retirement free - for anyone who wants to carry on working.  Last year a pledge was made to scrap the mandatory retirement age for all staff below the most senior levels, and today (1st October) the Cabinet Secretary Sir Gus O’Donnell promised to remove the mandatory retirement age for everyone in the Senior Civil Service as well.

How much longer will the wait last for older workers?

 Chris Ball, CEO of The Age and Employment Network, comments on the decision not to overturn the provisions in the 2006 Employment Equality (Age) Regulations which allow employers to compulsorily retire people at the age of 65.

Decision delivered on age equality at work

The High Court has decided that it is within UK law for employers to force workers to retire at 65 - regardless of their wishes and without redundancy payments. However, the Judge has said that there is a "compelling case" for a change in the law. Following the ruling, Age Concern and Help the Aged is challenging MPs to now demonstrate their support for older workers by acting urgently to overturn the outdated legislation.  The Charity is calling on parliamentarians to use the passage of the Equality Bill to abolish the default retirement age.

AARP International Innovative Employer Awards recognise three UK winners

The ten winners of the 2009 AARP International Innovative Employer Awards have been announced by AARP, the US-based non-profit organisation representing nearly 40 million older Americans, and TAEN – The Age and Employment Network based in the UK. And three of the top ten international employers are based in the UK.

 


BBC seeks older female newsreader

The BBC News website has featured a story today (24 Sept) that the organisation is actively seeking to recruit a female newsreader over the age of 50.

 

The news comes following accusations of ageism against the BBC after the Strictly Come Dancing judge Arlene Phillips was replaced by the younger Alesha Dixon. And in 2007, there was a widespread outcry when press reports stated that Moria Stuart - then 55 - had left the BBC because she was too old - an accusation strenously denied by the BBC.

 

A spokesman for the BBC said BBC News aimed to have "the best presenters"  representing "a wide range of ages and backgrounds". He confirmed that Director General Mark Thompson had spoken to News Director Helen Boaden "and other directors about the need to have a broad range of presenters on air - including older women".