22 June 2004
Malcolm Wicks MP, Minister of State for Pensions
Age Positive Awards – Lancaster House
22 June 2004
(CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY)
I would like to thank all of you for your support for this important campaign:
- newspaper editors – who have promoted the awards in your pages,
- judges –- who have had some tough choices to make in choosing our winners,
- special guests – who have taken time out from your busy schedules to add your support;
- and of course, most importantly, those of you who are here to receive awards this afternoon.
Here in this room today we have the living proof that ageism is wrong and that it must be challenged at every stage.
Each of you know ageism is wrong – it’s bad for business, it’s bad for individuals, and it’s bad for the economy. Ageism against younger and older workers prevents businesses from thriving and prevents individuals from achieving their full potential.
What we are planning to do is give people more choices and opportunities to work longer – if they want to, as many do.
It’s not about forcing people to work longer and the Government has no intention of raising the State Pension age above 65.
And yet, press coverage in the last couple of days has shown how easy it is for people to get the wrong end of the stick. That is why our campaign is so important.
Currently 1 million people have already chosen to carry on working past State Pension age – many in part-time work. That is what people want – the choice.
That is why older people can already choose to either work whilst claiming their State Pension or gain a financial reward for deferring taking it.
And we are planning to make these rewards more generous, as well as allowing people to start taking part of their occupational pension and carry on working for the same firm.
Legislation outlawing age discrimination will also play an important role in helping us to stamp out ageism. There are complex issues involved, particularly around retirement. We have not yet made a decision, but we are committed to finding an approach which is good for individuals and good for business.
Of course, the legislation is about more than retirement ages – it will contribute to eliminating ageism throughout working life.
Only 70% of people between 50 and State Pension age are in work, compared with 81% of those aged between 25 and 49, which is why we must concentrate particularly hard on eliminating discrimination for this age group.
There are many myths about age. Let’s dispel a few more.
[Myth 1] “Too old for a job in IT”
That’s what Edwina Goody’s friends told her when she decided to change direction after being made redundant.
Edwina didn’t see age as a barrier. What she saw was an opportunity. She seized it and got the job.
[Myth 2] “Too old to change direction”
Not Edwina, obviously.
She has moved on again to her dream job in the hotel industry.
[Myth 3] “Too young to be a manager”
Becky Bevis works at Barclays. Last year she was the highest achiever in her peer group of forty team leaders.
She now manages 1000 staff and a budget of 20 million pounds.
Becky is 21.
It's time to stamp out the misguided and outdated attitude that people are past it after 50 or incapable of doing a responsible job when they are young. Skills, experience and competence should always be the determining factor –- not age.
All your stories show there need be no age barriers. A mix of ages brings a valuable range of skills and experience to businesses.
Forward-looking employers know this already. Above all, it is those firms – represented here today – that are leading the way. I am glad to see so many of you. With skills shortages hitting many sectors, the need to end ageism at work is becoming more urgent – and I am calling on every employer to stop age discrimination.
The Government is developing legislation to remove age discrimination in employment. This is an important step, but it may not change attitudes and culture overnight. That’s up to all of us.
I want everyone to join in fighting age discrimination at work and enjoy the benefits of having age diversity in the workforce.
I urge you to continue to help us get the message out to all employers to support the fight against age discrimination.
Thank you for joining the campaign.
And now – on with the Awards.