The number of employed people aged over 65 is at its highest since records began, according to today’s employment figures.
The employment rate is 9.5% among those aged 65+, and the total number of over-65s has hit one million for the first time. The employment rate for this age group is also at its highest since records began in 1992.
The Office for National Statistics attributes the rise to there being more people of this age group in the population, and more people staying on in their jobs.
The government scrapped the default retirement age of 65 in 2011.
In a column for LondonlovesBusiness.com earlier this year, founder of Pimlico Plumbers Charlie Mullins wrote about how ridiculous it was that older workers should be forced to leave their jobs: “I have always been an advocate of older workers and since I started Pimlico Plumbers in 1979 have always appreciated what they bring to the company as employees.
“There is no substitute for experience and that’s why 20% of my workforce is over 55, with some approaching 80, and they are well-respected by colleagues and customers. […]
“However, there is still a lot of work to do on changing the perception of older workers and employer’s attitude towards them. As we all know, in the future people will have to keep on working way past the traditional retirement age, the state pension age is due to increase to 67 by 2028 and future rises would be linked to life expectancy.
“There is still prejudice towards those workers over 65 and according to research collated by Age UK, 65% of older people believe age discrimination still exists in the workplace. Many employers might think that older staff are ready to slow down in the workplace or more likely to have time off sick, but I have found this not to be the case and in fact quite the opposite.
“Older workers are still ambitious and take great pride in their work.”
The total number of people (aged 16 and over) in employment in the UK has increased by 432,000 from a year earlier, according to today’s figures.
You need to read:
Undiscovered treasure: How the older workforce can help plug the skills gap
Charlie Mullins: It makes no sense to ditch your staff at 65!
SECURING BRITAIN’S FUTURE
Boris Johnson, Martha Lane Fox, Xavier Rolet, Doug Richard & more than 25 other London leaders share letters on how to safeguard our economy
Leave a Comment