Less than 1 in 5 of those referred to the Work Programme are aged 50+

Tuesday, 21 February 2012

“Fewer than one in five of those referred to the Work Programme are aged 50+ despite the fact that they are the only age group to see an increase in long-term unemployment”, says Chris Ball. 

Commenting on the Work Programme statistics released today (Tuesday 21 February 2012) by the Department for Work and Pensions, Chris Ball, Chief Executive of TAEN – The Age and Employment Network, says:

“Fewer than one in five (18.6 per cent) of those referred to the Work Programme are aged 50+ despite the fact that they are the only age group to see an increase in long-term unemployment. The statistic worsens for the 60+ where they make up only 1 per cent of total referrals to the programme.

“Older jobseekers are no longer recognised as a disadvantaged group by the Department for Work and Pensions and they now generally have to wait a whole year before they are referred to the Work Programme. Older people have no choice but to continue to work in these difficult economic times as their savings and pensions fall in value.

“We urgently call upon the Government to halve the referral time to the Work Programme for 50+ jobseekers to ensure they receive the help they need to find employment.”