MEP backs High Court bid to end Mandatory Retirement Age

10.37.19am GMT Wed 6th Dec 2006

The MEP who first ensured that discrimination on the basis of age was outlawed in Europe has said she hopes the High Court will decide it is illegal to allow people in the UK to get the sack simply because they are over 65.

Liz Lynne MEP, who was responsible for having age included in the European Employment Directive 2000 which now forms the basis of anti-ageist law in the UK, said:

"It is a crazy situation that we now have laws in place that mean employers cannot treat people differently simply because of their age but then, as soon as you reach 65, you can be sacked for absolutely no reason.

"A great many people still have a huge amount to contribute to society and the economy at 65 and it can be a terrible shock when they find themselves out of a job just because they have reached an arbitrary age.

"This Government has said it will look at the situation in 2011 - this is far too late for the thousands of people who will be wanting to stay in work in the meantime.

"The original European directive had no such general age-limit to protection and I hope the High Court will make the sensible decision and see that the Government's version simply is not good enough."

Editor's Notes

Heyday and Age Concern have applied for a judicial review of the Government's stance on employment rights for people over the age of 65 and Mandatory Retirement Age (MRA)

It follows the introduction of the Employment Equality (Age) Regulations (2006) that came into force on 1 October and was based on the European Employment Directive 2000 outlawing age discrimination in employment and adult education.

At the moment, the new laws do not offer protection against employers forcing employees to retire at or after 65 or from refusing to recruit anyone over the age of 65.

Liz Lynne MEP was the ALDE Shadow Rapporteur on the directive and was responsible for having age included as grounds for discrimination alongside disability, religion and sexuality.