Job market remains toughest for older workers.

Thursday, 01 December 2011

Despite the fall of 9,000 in the overall unemployment total shown in figures published by the Office of National Statistics, TAEN - The Age and Employment Network are warning that the over-50s continue to struggle in the jobs market, and that planned benefit changes will hit older workers hardest.

Of the 393,000 over-50s out of work, 43.5 per cent have been unemployed for 12 months or more, the highest percentage of any age group. The percentage of men over 50 out of work for 12 months increased by 3.1 per cent to 126,000, 47.3 per cent of the total. This is the highest proportion in any age category. Similar rates for women over 50 women dropped by 5.7 per cent in the last quarter to 45,000, 35.5 per cent, but still remain the highest out of all women’s age groups.

The percentage of Jobseeker’s Allowance recipients claiming for more than 12 months are also highest among the 50-plus age group, indicating that long-term unemployment continues to disproportionately affect older workers.

Economic inactivity statistics show that, in the 50-64 age group, 11,000 men became economically inactive while inactivity levels among women dropped by 58,000. 72,000 women over 50 moved into employment, compared with only 5,000 men.

Chris Ball, Chief Executive of TAEN, says: “These figures once again underscore the problems that older people are experiencing in the labour market. At a time when the Government is telling people that they will have to work for longer, many older people are trying to get back into work but facing huge difficulties.

“The fact that long-term claiming of unemployment benefits is highest among the over-50s is deeply concerning. And the plans to cut Jobseeker’s Allowance payments by 10 per cent for all those claiming for 12 months or more will hit older jobseekers the hardest.

“Add to that the fact that many Incapacity Benefit recipients, roughly 50 per cent of whom are over 50, will be forced onto Jobseeker’s Allowance and we see some worrying times ahead.

“It’s hardly fair to penalise older workers when they are up against barriers like age discrimination and forced retirement.”