Liz Lynne MEP Welcomes Government U-Turn on Mandatory Retirement Age

7.24.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 14th Jul 2009

Liz Lynne, the Lib Dem Euro MP for the West Midlands and campaigner against age discrimination, has today welcomed reports of a Government u-turn on the use of the mandatory retirement age.

Yesterday the Government announced that a scheduled review into the practice of allowing employers to force workers over the age of 65 to retire is to be brought forward by a year. It has also been widely reported that the majority of Ministers have already concluded that the mandatory retirement age should come to an end.

Liz, as Vice- President of the European Parliament's Employment and Social Affairs Committee, has been a leading campaigner against of the use of mandatory retirement ages. In 2000 she helped to draft the Parliament's Employment (Age) Directive that sought to outlaw discrimination on the grounds of age in the workplace.

Speaking today, she said she was delighted with the news of the Government's decision:

"I am very pleased that the Government, after many years of excuses and blinkered thinking, has finally come round to the idea that allowing people to be thrown on the scrap heap simply because they reach 65 is pointless, ineffective and inhumane."

"At a time when many people throughout the UK are facing serious financial problems it is simply wrong that they should be forced out of their jobs even if they wish to continue working purely on the basis of their age."

"This decision is also very important for the UK economy. If we are to overcome the recession then it is vital we retain our experienced staff and move away from the ludicrous assumption that if you are past 65 you are no longer of use."

"I welcome the fact that the Government appears to have finally changed its mind. This is the right move for the UK economy, for UK Business and for the rights of older people."