- Nick Elvin
New government figures show which areas of the UK have the highest proportion of older people in work.
According to new information collated by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), Watford boasts the highest estimated employment rate among 50- to 64-year-olds, with figures for the period April 2013 to March 2014 showing 89.5% of this age group were in work in the Hertfordshire town.
The other local authorities in the top five are the Shetland Islands (88.3%), North Dorset (87.2%), Stroud in Gloucestershire (85.3%) and South Northamptonshire (84.6%). Horsham in Sussex, East Northamptonshire, Tandridge (Surrey), and the Hertfordshire boroughs of Broxbourne and Stevenage make up the top ten.
The figures also show that the five places with the lowest proportion of older workers in employment are Hyndburn in Lancashire (48.1%), Rossendale, also in Lancashire (48.2%), West Somerset (49.2%), London’s Tower Hamlets (50.6%) and Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria (51.7%).
According to the Office for National Statistics, the UK average for 50- to 64-year-olds in work was 68.5% between April and June 2014.
Dr Ros Altmann, the Government’s Business Champion for Older Workers, said: “Older workers have a huge amount to offer any workforce. They generally have unrivalled life and work experience, often boast a broad range of skills and, according to many employers I’ve spoken to, tend to display great attitude and work ethic.
“Of course, there can be unique challenges faced by older workers – particularly in manual or strenuous jobs – but there is no reason why a person in their 50s or 60s cannot re-train to take on a different role with their existing employer, cut down their working hours, or even opt for a complete career change.
“We need to get rid of the traditional stereotype which suggests that people over 50 are too old to learn or change and are expected not to work, even if they want to. There can be a world of opportunities for older workers which can enrich their lives and also boost our economy.”