Statement on the abandonment of the DRA

Michelle Mitchell, Charity Director at Age UK, said:

'The abolition of the Default Retirement Age is a milestone in the employment rights of older workers. It will make a huge difference to the hundreds of thousands of workers aged 65+ who were at risk of being forcibly retired this year, giving them the freedom to choose when and how they want to retire. Such a step has been needed for years, so we congratulate the Government for sticking to their guns and ending this deeply unfair practice.

'Now seems like a good time to encourage employers to look beyond a date of birth and rather look at who has the actual skills or knowledge necessary to do the job - whatever their age. Experience combined with both knowledge and life skills often mean that older workers are adept at dealing with a whole range of work situations.

'In addition  the Government needs to provide better support to older workers and jobseekers, in particular through tailored support for 50+ jobseekers and more opportunities to re-skill later in careers.

'Removing the Default Retirement Age is a great first step, but to boost employment rates an even greater effort is needed.'

- ENDS -

Notes to Editors

Age UK
For media enquiries relating to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland please contact the appropriate national office: Age Scotland on 0131 668 8055, Age Cymru on 029 2043 1562 and Age NI on 028 9024 5729.

Age UK is the new force combining Age Concern and Help the Aged, dedicated to improving later life.

We provide free information, advice and support to over five million people; commercial products and services to over one million customers; and research and campaign on the issues that matter to people in later life. Our work focuses on five key areas: money matters, health and well being, home and care, work and training and leisure and lifestyle. We work with our national partners, Age Scotland, Age Cymru and Age NI (together the Age UK Family), our local Age UK partners in England and local Age Concerns. We also work internationally for people in later life as a member of the DEC and with our sister charity Help Age International.

Age UK is a charitable company limited by guarantee and registered in England (registered charity number 1128267 and company number 6825798). Age Concern England and Help the Aged (both registered charities), and their trading and other associated companies merged on the 1st April 2009. Together they have formed the Age UK Group ("we"). Charitable services are offered through Age UK and commercial products are offered by the Charity's trading companies, which donate their net profits to Age UK (the Charity).

Media contact: Liz Fairweather
Telephone:  0208 765 7581
Out-of-office-hours:  07071 243 243