Older Workers

The UK Government brought in the Employment Equality (Age) Regulations on 1 October 2006 in response to the European Employment Directive 2000/78/EC.  The legislation covers employment and vocational training.  The European Equality (Age) Regulations apply throughout the UK and are intended to ensure that no-one is unfairly disadvantaged or discriminated against on age grounds. It is for individual employers to ensure that they comply with the legislation.  

Although there have been significant reductions in the rates of pensioner poverty in the UK in recent years it is still an important issue to consider as people in later life can be particularly vulnerable to changes in their income situation.

Those who have had employment gaps due to child rearing or unemployment can be  at greatest risk due to their reduced pension contributions over the years. This can leave groups like widowed or divorced women in particular risk of poverty. This is particularly true in more deprived areas which tend to be characterised by a high proportion of elderly and young people. Whereas more affluent areas tend to be characterised by more families and middle aged couples.  (Oxford Institute of Ageing 2008).

Older people are also less likely to engage with anti poverty or employment services due to a lack or awareness, distrust of what is on offer or a sense of pride and self sufficiency which would prevent them from taking what they may perceive to be ‘hand outs’.

The importance of horizon scanning and planning ahead will become increasingly apparent. The UK has an aging population with the ‘baby boomer’ generation approaching old age. We need to be prepared for their support needs to avoid some sections of society potentially falling into poverty in the future.