Response to latest ONS Labour Market stats

“Today’s figures reinforce the need for employers to do much more to support older workers, with more than 10.3 million over 50s in work, and a record level of employment amongst over 65s.

“Despite growing overall employment, between 2018 and 2025, there will be 300,000 fewer workers under age-30. However, there will be a million more workers over age-50.

 “If employers don’t meet the needs and aspirations of older workers, they risk losing their most experienced people and seeing labour and skills shortages. We need employers to be more age-friendly, support training, development and progression for older workers, and remove age bias from recruitment.”

Between 2018 and 2025, there are forecast to be 300,000 fewer workers under the age of 30 and 1 million more workers over 50 in the UK. Source: Mercer.