Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Stephen Timms and Mohammad Yasin

Monday 8th December 2025 Commons Chamber

[Mohammad Yasin (Bedford) (Lab)]

T2.   A constituent of mine who is in his mid-50s wrote to me about the flagrant and extensive age discrimination he faces looking for work, citing a job advert seeking applicants with under 15 years’ experience. His case reflects the Women and Equalities Committee’s “The rights of older people” report, which calls for stronger legal protection and a cross-Government strategy. Age discrimination is already unlawful, so how will the Minister ensure that people are properly protected?

[The Minister for Social Security and Disability (Sir Stephen Timms)]

As my hon. Friend says, it is against the law to impose age restrictions on jobs unless they can be objectively justified. The Equality Act 2010 provides legal redress. There is also practical help available through the Equality Advisory and Support Service, which his constituent should certainly give a call, and we have 50PLUS champions working across the whole of our jobcentre network.