OLDER WORKERS

Early day motion 1479, tabled 26 June 2003 by Kerry Pollard (Labour). Signed by 69 members.

That this House recognises the value to the economy and to public services of the experience and knowledge of people who have been in work for more than 20 years; notes that many people who find themselves out of work after the age of 40 have difficulty in finding new employment; further notes that the group most affected by age discrimination are professional males in their 50s; congratulates the Government on its New Deal for the Over 50s and its work in bringing to employers' attention the qualities such as loyalty, flexibility and reliability brought to the workplace by this group of workers; and calls on the Government to build on this work by introducing legislation to outlaw age discrimination together with incentives to encourage employers to consider older workers for vacant posts.

Signatures by party: Labour 39, Liberal Democrat 15, Labour/Co-operative 4, DUP 3, Independent Ulster Unionist 2, Social Democratic and Labour Party 2, UUP 2, Conservative 1, Plaid Cymru 1.