Oral answer to question provided on Tuesday, 12 December 2006 in the House of Lords, by Lord Truscott (Labour).

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Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006

Answer

No, my Lords, I do not believe that to be the case. Fundamentally, the regulations outlaw age discrimination in employment and vocational training unless objectively justified. When it comes to benefits—for example, insured benefits—the regulations are specifically framed in such a way as not to discriminate against various groups, such as women. Where there is a limit of, for example, five years’ service, beyond which it would be unfair to discriminate against certain groups such as women who may take career breaks, employers have an exemption up to that point; if they wish to retain staff by offering other benefits and can objectively justify those benefits, they can offer them.