Older People
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she plans to take to promote and support the active participation of older people in society.
Answered by Alison McGovern
The Government knows that work can help older people play active and fulfilling roles in society, improve physical and mental wellbeing and build towards a financially comfortable retirement.
The Department already offers employment support through Jobcentres and tailored one-to-one engagement for eligible over 50s on Universal Credit. Midlife MOT reviews, delivered in Jobcentres across the UK and online also support older people to review their health, finances and skills.
Getting more older people who are economically inactive but want to work into employment is crucial to meeting our long-term ambition of an 80 per cent employment rate. Our Get Britain Working White Paper sets out our approach to the employment support system to target and tackle the root causes of unemployment and inactivity and better join up health skills and employment support based on the needs for all, including older people.
The Government has also launched an independent review into the role of UK employers in promoting healthy and inclusive workplaces which will run until Summer 2025.
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