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UK unemployment: Plan to help over-50s keep working UK unemployment: Plan to help over-50s keep working
(about 1 hour later)
Unemployed over-50s will be offered "career reviews" and help using computers as part of plans to get more people in that age group into work.Unemployed over-50s will be offered "career reviews" and help using computers as part of plans to get more people in that age group into work.
The trial will also include seven "older worker champions" across the UK.The trial will also include seven "older worker champions" across the UK.
An estimated 1.2 million over-50s are unemployed and "willing to work" - and ministers said if they all found jobs it would "add £50bn to the economy".An estimated 1.2 million over-50s are unemployed and "willing to work" - and ministers said if they all found jobs it would "add £50bn to the economy".
Employment Minister Esther McVey said she wanted to tackle "outdated views" those over 50 were "past it". Employment Minister Esther McVey told the BBC it was "wrong" so many skilled people were "locked out" of work.
Long-term unemployment in the wider population fell 16% in the past year - but joblessness among the over 50s fell by 3.5%.Long-term unemployment in the wider population fell 16% in the past year - but joblessness among the over 50s fell by 3.5%.
'Valuable contribution' 'Challenge stereotypes'
The trial, to be launched in April, will include training in CV and interview skills, and the internet and social media, as well as "career reviews" with an expert to identify skills from previous work and any training needs. The trial, to be launched in April, will include training in CV and interview skills, the internet and social media, as well as "career reviews" with an expert to identify skills from previous work and any training needs.
"Champions" will be appointed in seven areas of the UK, at a cost to the government of £250,000. These Job Centre staff will focus on "going out to smaller and medium-sized businesses to ensure they recognise the benefits of hiring older workers"."Champions" will be appointed in seven areas of the UK, at a cost to the government of £250,000. These Job Centre staff will focus on "going out to smaller and medium-sized businesses to ensure they recognise the benefits of hiring older workers".
Ms McVey said: "With 50 being the new 30, there are more and more older workers wanting to make the most of their skills and experience in a new career, and they have a hugely valuable contribution to make to any workforce." Ms McVey said it was about "challenging outdated stereotypes".
She said older workers faced "outdated stereotypes when it comes to business hiring practices". "The plight of unemployed older workers has gone under the radar for too long. There's something fundamentally wrong with so many skilled and experienced people finding themselves locked out of the workplace simply because of their age," she told BBC Radio 5 live.
"Not only is this a waste of valuable talent and life skills, but it's a missed opportunity for businesses to make the most of their experience to support younger colleagues develop their careers," she said. She pointed to "record numbers" of people getting into work since 2010, adding that in the past year more than 250,000 people over 50 had found jobs.
Ms McVey said it was not a question of older workers taking the place of younger employees.
"More jobs are being created in the UK than anywhere else in Europe... We've just got to make sure that everybody is a part of that growth."
Out of workOut of work
Source: Department for Work and PensionsSource: Department for Work and Pensions
Caroline Abrahams, of charity Age UK, welcomed the government's plan, saying the "plight of unemployed older workers has gone under the radar" for too long. The Equality Act 2010 makes it unlawful to discriminate against employees, job seekers and trainees because of their age.
"There is something fundamentally wrong with so many experienced and skilled people finding themselves locked out of the job market simply because of their age," she said. Ms McVey ruled out further legislation, saying: "Where there needs to be laws, they have been brought in, this is about working with businesses and encouraging people that this is the right thing to do."
Caroline Abrahams, of charity Age UK, told 5 live: "The last thing people want to be doing is having to dip into their savings in their late 50s. It's a really bad thing if you lose your job in your 50s and we know that if you do it's awfully difficult to get another one."
The estimate of the number of unemployed over-50s "willing to work if the right opportunity arose" comes from a report published in October by the International Longevity Centre think tank.The estimate of the number of unemployed over-50s "willing to work if the right opportunity arose" comes from a report published in October by the International Longevity Centre think tank.
The report stated: "Efforts must be taken to ensure that these individuals do not end up permanently inactive."The report stated: "Efforts must be taken to ensure that these individuals do not end up permanently inactive."
The latest figures show unemployment fell by 63,000 to 1.96 million in the three months to the end of October - the first time it has fallen to below two million for six years.