At the end of last month, The UK government’s published Get Britain Working. A White Paper outlines an ambitious vision to reform employment, health, and skills support to tackle economic inactivity and boost employment rates. With an aim to emulate the labour markets of Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Iceland—where employment rates exceed 80%—the focus is on transforming employment support systems, including devolved delivery, integration of services, and enhanced digital offerings.
Notably, the White Paper does not specifically target the over-50 demographic, despite their critical role in achieving the proposed goals. This group is disproportionately affected by long-term health issues, caregiving responsibilities, and low skills, making them central to reducing economic inactivity. While the White Paper’s broader strategies may indirectly benefit older workers, the absence of age-specific measures could limit their effectiveness.
The government proposes localized, supportive, and inclusive employment services, which could significantly aid jobseekers aged 50 and over. However, historical data highlights that older workers face substantially poorer outcomes from employment support schemes compared to younger cohorts, raising concerns about their ability to meet rising employment expectations as the State Pension Age increases.
To ensure success, the paper advocates an “age-positive” approach, emphasizing the need for standards that prevent lower outcomes for older jobseekers. It also calls for age-specific evaluations and transparent data to address systemic ageism in the labour market. While the White Paper’s vision is promising, it requires focused efforts to guarantee equitable support for older workers and unlock their full potential in the workforce.
But what does ‘age-positive’ actually mean to our new government, if anything. Read the full analysis here by the excellent Centre for Ageing Better. And if you’ve got time on your hands, read the 70 page Get Britain Working white paper here.
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