Champion for Older Workers

The business case for action on age at work

With an ageing population, business needs to take action now to prevent an early exit from the workforce, support later life working and make the most of intergenerational workplaces.

Currently, 10 million people in the UK are over 65 years old and this number is projected to nearly double, to around 19 million, by 2050.  The first person who will live to 150 has already been born.

”The effects of an ageing population are apparent even in the short term. Between 2012 and 2022, an estimated 12.5 million jobs will be opened up through people leaving the workforce and an additional 2 million new jobs will be created, yet only 7 million new young people will enter the workforce to fill these jobs”. 
Rachael Saunders, Age at work Director, Business in the Community

Research by Business in The Community found a Missing Million older people who want to work out of work.

Employers must take action now

Adapting to an ageing population is key to responsible business. The need to develop a long-term strategic approach to recruiting and retaining older workers and managing an intergenerational workforce is crucially important for businesses – in tackling skills gaps and in the development of the products and services that will allow their business to thrive with an ageing population.

Business in the Community, the Governments Champion for Older workers is calling for one million more older people in work by 2022, or 12% more.

Fortyplus fully endorses this campaign and is committed to working with our customers to help deliver #OneMillionMore #OlderWorkers.

To find out more visit the Business in the Community website here.