More older people are in work in Northumberland

The number of people aged 50 to 64 in work in Northumberland has risen by over 5,000 in the past year with figures showing an employment rate of 70.5 per cent in the year to September 2015, compared with 67.5 per cent the year before.

This is a higher employment rate for 50 to 64-year-olds than for the UK as a whole, which stands at 70.1 per cent, and much higher than the average of 63.7 per cent for the North East.

Minister for Pensions, Baroness Altmann said: “It is great news that there are more older people in employment in Northumberland. It shows that people who want to work longer are able to and that employers are waking up to the experience and skills that older workers bring.

“But we still have a long way to go. It is vital that we continue to harness the potential of older workers.”

Action taken for older workers by the government in recent years includes extending the right to request flexible working for all and outlawing forced retirement at 65. Older Claimant champions have been introduced in Jobcentres across the country, as well as a number of pilots to support older people into work by helping them to build their confidence and skills.

For details, visit www.gov.uk/flexible-working/overview