“Thousands more 50 plus workers are facing the grim reality of unemployment for the first time and many more live in fear that their age will go against them when employers make further cuts. 

“Losing your job in your fifties is critical because in many cases‚ it brings people’s working lives to a premature end due to ageist attitudes which make it is so much harder for this group to get back into employment.

“While the recession is causing financial hardship for many people‚ the nightmare for the over 50s is only just beginning because job losses now will have a long-term affect on people’s ability to save for their pension‚ condemning many to a retirement blighted by poverty.

“We are calling on employers to see beyond applicants’ age and focus on the skills they have to offer to try and help people back into work as quickly as possible.  At the same time‚ Government must match the help they are providing for younger people and act swiftly to approve a package of measures to tackle rising unemployment among 50 plus workers.”