Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of age-related discrimination on (a) recruitment and (b) retention in the workplace.

The Government recognises the need to recruit on merit, irrespective of a persons' age. The 2010 Equality Act provides strong protection against direct and indirect age discrimination in employment, rendering it unlawful for employers to discriminate against employees or job applicants based on age.

Employers play a key role in helping older individuals in the workplace.  Age diversity within the workforce brings numerous benefits to businesses, in addition to broader advantages such as fresh perspectives and knowledge-sharing.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is therefore working across government, and through regular engagement with employers, to encourage positive attitudes towards older people and has signed the Age-friendly employer pledge, a nationwide initative led by the Centre for Ageing Better, aimed at promoting age inclusive working practices.