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Peer urges government to scrap default retirement age
Tue 19 Jan 2010
A Liberal Democrat peer has called on the government to abolish the default retirement age in its Equality Bill.
Lord Lester told Personnel Today that he has tabled an amendment to the planned legislation, which is currently being scrutinised in the House of Lords.
The move has been welcomed by charity group Age UK, which said failing to address the issue in the Equality Bill was a missed opportunity by the government.
Head of public policy Andrew Harrop said the group is hoping the Lords will support this amendment and increase pressure on the government to allow people to keep working if they wish to do so.
The government recently said it would bring forward its review on the default retirement age, a move which prompted more calls for it to be abolished.
A poll by the Federation of Small Businesses found that almost two-thirds of its members do not think a default retirement age should be in place.
The organisation said this demonstrates how the sector recognises the valuable contribution and skills that older workers can offer.
David von Hagen, partner and head of employment at Winckworth Sherwood, said: "I have to agree with Lord Lester.
"Although it might cause difficulties from an employment law perspective, from a public policy point of view, the abolition of a default retirement age is no bad thing."
