The government has appointed Dr Ros Altmann as a business champion for workers aged over 50 in an effort to support older people in the UK’s labour market, according to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
As part of her new role, Dr Altmann will be tasked with making the case for older workers within the business community and challenging antiquated perceptions of the over-50s. She has a wealth of experience, which comes from her years spent as the director-general of Saga and independent expert on later life issues.
The move comes in the wake of the publication of a new report - entitled Fuller Working Lives – A Framework For Action’ - which explained the benefits to the economy, businesses and individuals of those aged over 50 staying in employment.
Commenting in her appointment, Dr Altmann said: “A big part of my role is to work with employers to understand the significant benefits of retaining and recruiting older workers. This fast-growing section of society has so much experience and talent to offer and could play a vital role in future growth.
“Everyone can benefit from ensuring their skills do not go to waste. I also look forward to challenging some of the outdated and downright inaccurate perceptions of later life workers who still have so much to offer.”
DWP Minister Steve Webb added that he wanted to appoint an individual with a powerful and respected voice within the business community and desired a person with a proven track record of speaking up with consumer rights without bias or fear. He believes Dr Altmann ticks all of these boxes.
According to Mr Webb, older workers can bring benefits to any workforce and are a source of untapped talent in Britain’s labour market. Currently, there are around 2.9 million people aged between 50 and the state pension age out of work in the UK, meaning they could well be a good source of candidates for parking jobs and positions in other sectors.
This country’s unemployment rate is around 60 per cent for this particular age group, compared to 70 per cent and above elsewhere in the world, which means there is a significant potential for older people to contribute in the labour market for longer.
