The voluntary code of practice on age discrimination is failing. On 15 June, The Times reported that the Prime Minister’s advisory unit on older people had recommended that it should be replaced by a statutory code.
The Prime Minister should not be surprised by such a recommendation. Discrimination on other unacceptable grounds such as race, sex and disability have all had to be tackled by legislation.
Falling mortality and birth rates are resulting in a growing proportion of the population being more than 60 years old. Concerns about pensions may lead to more individuals wishing to continue working after what might otherwise be considered the normal retiring age, so age discrimination affecting those who do not wish to retire will become increasingly important.
