The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has issued proposals to change employment policies with the intention of opening up more work opportunities for older people. The default retirement age, the extension of the right to request flexible working to all and employer recruitment practices to prevent discrimination and improved training and development are all planned to change under the new proposals.

The EHRC claims that the changes would be very beneficial economically as research carried out by the National Institute of Economic and Social Research has shown that extending working lives by 18 months would inject £15 billion into the British economy. A survey of older members of the workforce has also revealed that many feel they face barriers to achieving their work-related ambitions in the current employment climate. According to the survey many willing workers are forced out of their jobs despite wanting to continue in them. State pension age is currently 60 for women and 65 for men. It will rise to 65 for both men and women by 2020.