Nearly half unemployed aged 50+ jobless over a year

While today's job figures, published just days after the Government's announcement about the increase in the State Pension Age, show an overall drop in the number of long-term unemployed, the situation continues to be bleak for people aged 50 and over who have been out of work for a year or more.

Today's  figures  show that more than half of all unemployed men aged over 50  have been out of work for more than a year. For women in the same age group the figure is a little better but still grim at over 40%. For both sexes combined, the figure is 47.5%.

Last week the Government announced the State Pension Age will increase from 66-67 between 2026 and 2028 with future 5 yearly reviews.

Michelle Mitchell, Age UK's Charity Director General commented: 'Now that the Government has made it clear that the State Pension Age is going to rise, it's more important than ever that job creation for older people is made a priority.

'Just under half of men and women aged 50 and over who are unemployed have been out of work for more than a year and research shows they find it harder than any other group to find a job.

'The Government must wake up to the implications of raising the State Pension Age, stamp out age discrimination in the jobs market, and help older people find work and retrain. If not, we face a future where older people who  have been locked out of work through no fault of their own face slipping into poverty.'