Commenting on today’s employment figures (Wednesday 17 March 2010), Chris Ball, Chief Executive of TAEN - The Age and Employment Network, said that whilst TAEN is pleased to note the small increase in the number of older workers in jobs, the increase in the number of long-term unemployed older men and women is a serious cause for concern.

Chris Ball says: “The UK economy cannot afford a lost generation of older workers any more than it can afford a lost generation of younger people. 

“The percentages of 50+ men and women who have been out of work for more than 12 months are the highest for any age group and the same applies for the Jobseeker’s Allowance claimant count.

“The Government has recognised the need to address the problems faced by older workers and we welcome the new support measures that are coming into effect next month. However, we believe that more still needs to be done. 

“We hope that the Good Practice Guide on working with older clients that the DWP has commissioned TAEN to produce as part of those measures will help make employment service support providers more effective in getting older people back into work.”

Note to editors: The percentage of men over the age of 50 who have been unemployed for over 12 months stands at 36.5 per cent, compared to 31.7 per cent of men between 25 and 49. Similarly, 30.6 per cent of women over the age of 50 have been unemployed for over 12 months, the highest among all age groups. The number of older males who have been claiming JobSeeker’s Allowance for 12 months or over rose by 101.9 per cent over the past 12 months. The percentage of 50 plus men claiming for over 12 months is 24.1 per cent and is 18.7 per cent for older women, both the highest for any age group.