This week I have supported calls for a change in law to tackle age discrimination against older workers.
It is clear that new law is needed to put a stop to age discrimination in relation to workplace benefits. Currently, companies can take away vital workplace benefits such as healthcare insurance and death in service from workers who carry on working past retirement age. The change is vital to treat older people fairly and to support older workers who choose to stay in the workplace.
My colleague Natalie Elphicke introduced a Ten Minute Rule Bill this week, which I co-sponsored alongside cross party MPs such as Dame Diana Johnson Chair of the Home Affairs Select Committee, Jim Shannon from the DUP and the SNP's Work and Pensions Spokesman David Linden. Natalie was inspired to introduce the law following the case of one of her constituents, Stephen Horne, who is a train driver with Eurotunnel and has worked with the company for nearly 30 years. On approaching his statutory retirement age, his 66th birthday, Eurotunnel notified the train driver that they were terminating his health insurance, death in service and his long-term income protection policy for long term sickness and accidents. The age discrimination was described by his local MP as “shocking and unacceptable” – but it is also entirely lawful. That position in law clearly needs to change.
Nobody should lose important and valuable workplace benefits simply due to age. There are more workers working over the age of 65 than ever before. It’s so important to treat older people fairly in the workplace and support older workers who chose to continue in their jobs past retirement. Age discrimination, like any other form of discrimination, is wrong. It’s time for equal pay and conditions for older workers.
Natalie Elphicke MP who introduced the age discrimination bill said:
“The support of Caroline Nokes to the age discrimination bill has been instrumental. MPs from across the House of Commons have made it clear that it is time to end this unfair age discrimination. Older workers have so much to give and need to be fully supported in the workplace.”
