The UK 50-plus employment rate has hit a record high
Britain's workforce is being bolstered by a sea of older workers, with the number of people aged 50 and over in employment at a record high.
Official data released earlier this week showed the number of people aged between 50 and 64 who have a job rose by 50,000 in the last quarter. And this means there's now 235,000 more people in this age group in work compared to the same time a year ago.
The figures also showed the unemployment rate experienced its first quarterly rise since the start of 2013. The ONS said this could suggest Britain's booming jobs market is levelling off. But economists think it will be temporary and could indicate companies are struggling to find enough skilled workers.
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"Record numbers of older people are bringing their skills, talents and experience into the UK workplace, which is good news for people’s incomes, their future pensions, and the overall economy," pensions minister, baroness Altmann, said.
"But with 735,000 vacancies in the economy today, businesses are still not making the most of the opportunities that this huge pool of talent has to offer."
"As part of our one nation approach, this government wants to see employers do even more to eradicate outdated misconceptions and age discrimination, so that employers realise the benefits when they retain, retrain and recruit staff who are over the age of 50."