Michelle Mitchell‚ Age Concern and Help the Aged Charity Director‚ said:

“These figures show that older workers are not benefitting from the green shoots of recovery in the job market. While unemployment has fallen or levelled out for all other age groups‚ 50 plus workers continue to face redundancy and the highest increase in long-term unemployment.

“Previous recessions left a legacy of unemployment among older workers‚ and now there are worrying signs that this pattern could be repeated. Research shows that once out of work‚ it is it is much harder for the over-50s to find a job again.

“The Government cannot afford to let people in their 50s be left behind on the road to economic recovery. Long periods of unemployment for older workers now will deny them the opportunity to build up a decent pension‚ making them more dependent on state benefits in retirement.

“As part of its overall strategy‚ the Government must commit to providing intensive support for unemployed people aged 50 plus within three to four months of losing their jobs to prevent them from being shut out from the labour market for good.”