Chancellor urged to help employers retain older workers
250,000 strong campaign group launches Budget for Later Life in parliament
Crimewatch legend Sue Cook says proposals represent “a fairer more sustainable deal for older people”.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has been presented with a plan to cut National Insurance on older workers to swell the workforce and boost growth.
It is one of a number of proposals put forward by Later Life Ambitions (LLA), a campaign group that represents over 250,000 older people. LLA will launch the ‘Budget for Later Life’ in parliament today.
Key demands include protecting the pensions triple lock, guaranteeing a minimum income for older people, and changes to National Insurance to incentivise keeping experience in the workforce and to narrow the yawning gender pensions gap in the coming years.
There is growing evidence of widespread age discrimination in the workforce according to the CIPD, particularly affecting individuals in their 50s and 60s who wish to continue working. Over a third of over 50s report experiencing ageism at work.
Many older adults find themselves unable to secure employment despite being capable and willing to contribute, often due to outdated stereotypes, employer bias or restricted access to training opportunities. This issue is especially concerning for those in their mid-60s who are too young to qualify for the state pension but face significant barriers to re-entering or remaining in the workforce.
The Budget for Later Life advocates more robust enforcement of anti-discrimination laws, more support for employers and government-backed skills programmes for older workers who wish to re-enter or remain in the workforce.
Other proposals in the Budget for Older People include:
- Protecting the State Pension
- Reducing the tax on pensions
- Tackling the gender pension gap
- Supporting older people in the workplace
- A minimum income guarantee
- Widening access to public transport
- Making housing safe, secure, accessible and adaptable
- Supporting health and social care
The document can be viewed here.
Sue Cook, author and television presenter best known for Crimewatch and Children in Need, said, “Later life should be a time of purpose, confidence and connection – not uncertainty. Older people still have a huge amount to give. With the right support and guidance, they can continue not only to enjoy full, independent lives themselves, but also giving the benefit of their insight and experience to the rest of society.
“If policymakers don’t act with foresight now, the challenges faced today will continue to affect the increasing number of people entering later life in generations to come. I’ve put my support behind the LLA’s manifesto as a way to ensure a fairer, more sustainable deal for older people.”
Later Life Ambitions brings together the collective voices of over 250,000 pensioners from the Civil Service Pensioners’ Alliance (CSPA), the National Association of Retired Police Officers (NARPO) and the National Federation of Occupational Pensioners (NFOP).
Sally Tsoukaris, General Secretary of the Civil Service Pensioners Alliance, said, “We understand the enormous pressure facing the Chancellor but penalising pensioners in retirement is never the answer to fixing the public finances.
“Our Budget is a progressive and positive proposal for a happy, healthy and fulfilling later life which celebrates older people’s contribution to society, recognises the dilemmas and addresses the policy challenges we will all face as we age.
“We hope the Chancellor will give older people a good deal this Autumn and deliver on their promises to deliver change for a fairer Britain.”
Alan Lees, CEO of the National Association of Retired Police Officers, said, “This is a thoughtful programme of proposals that ought to be carefully weighed in the Treasury.
“This year’s Budget is set to be a significant moment in the course of this parliament and the direction of this government. As such it is also an opportunity to provide a clear signal to the nation’s pensioners that their contribution to the nation, both through their working life and into later life, are valued.”
Eamonn Donaghy, CEO of the National Federation of Occupation Pensioners said, “Britain’s pensioners need reassurance and clarity not endless Budget speculation that causes stress about how financially tough this winter and even the winters ahead may be.
“It’s an unsettling time for many pensioners who have seen their spending power ravaged by inflation and who are concerned about paying for food and heating bills.
“The Government must not balance the books on the backs of the nation’s pensioners.”