New report reveals older worker hotspots and the vast differences in employment prospects for over 50s around the country

Watford, Dorset and the Shetland Islands are leading the charge against ‘outdated’ older worker stereotypes, a Government report revealed today.

According the figures released by the Department for Work and Pensions, Watford has the highest rate of employment among older workers, with nine out of 10 people aged 50-64 in work.

In the Shetlands this rate is 88 per cent while in north Dorset it’s 87 per cent, closely followed by Stroud in Gloucestershire and Horsham in Sussex.

New tricks: Watford, Dorset and the Shetland Islands are leading the charge against 'outdated' older worker sterotypes, a Government report revealed today

DWP minister Steve Webb said: ‘The business case for ignoring outdated and inaccurate stereotypes and giving older workers a chance to thrive is absolutely compelling, and these figures
show that in some parts of the country that message is being received loud and clear.

‘What we must do now is extend the positive record we’re seeing in counties like Hertfordshire across the whole of the UK.’

But the report also highlighted a number of employment blackspots for older workers.

Almost half of people aged 50-64 were unemployed in Hyndburn and Rossendale in Lancashire, 50 per cent in London’s Tower Hamlets, and 51 per cent in Barrow-in-Furness.

‘JOB PROSPECTS FOR YOUNG ARE IMPROVING’

Two-thirds of employers have hired a young person in the past year, according to a survey of 600 employers.

The Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) said this positive outlook is set to continue for the rest of the year, with employers focussing more on candidate’s attitude rather than exam results.

Rec chief executive Kevin Green said: ‘It’s the best time in six years to be a young person coming into the jobs market.’

This resonates with data released by the Office for National Statistics last week suggesting that ageism in the workplace is still rife.

Unemployment as a whole fell to 6.4 per cent last quarter and the number of unemployed people aged 16-49 fell 18.8 per cent since May 2010, compared to just 5.3 per cent for those aged 50-64.

Dr Ros Altmann, the former director general of Saga, who was appointed last month as the Government’s Business Champion for Older Workers, said more needed to be done to help people in this age group, such as offering apprentice schemes.

‘It does seem there remains latent ageism in the labour market,’ she said. ‘Not enough is being done to help these people back to work and overcome ageist attitudes.’

And with retirement at the age of 65 looking increasingly unfeasible for most workers, employment equality is essential if they’re to top up their dwindling pension pot.

Steve Webb added: ‘Another crucial point is that a person dropping out of the workforce early can have a devastating effect on their retirement income. We owe it to people to do everything possible toensure they can benefit from a full working life.’

Source:This is Money UK

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