Responding to the chancellor’s announcements on support for those who have lost their jobs during the crisis, the Centre for Ageing Better has warned that over 50s must not be left behind.
David's voice - Getting back into work during COVID-19
David, 56, had a twenty-year career as a high-profile trade union official. But after he left work to care for his partner in 2010, he’s struggled to get back into work.
At least a million workers aged between 50 and 64 are out of work involuntarily, with caring responsibilities being one of the main reasons. Why aren't they being supported?
New ONS figures today show that 3.4 million key workers are over the age of 50, making up almost a third of all key workers. An estimated 130,000 key workers are over the age of 70.
The evidence so far shows that younger workers are likely to be hit hard by the economic fallout of coronavirus. But the devastation is likely to hit all ages - with particularly long-lasting consequences for older workers.
The COVID-19 control measures meant that, overnight, anyone who could work from home was asked to do so. For many businesses and employees, this would be their first experience working from home.
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