Biggest Increase in Employment Rates Suggests Older Women Cannot Afford to Retire

6.10.00pm GMT Wed 16th Feb 2005

Office of National Statistics figures show that by far the biggest increase in employment rates since November 1997 has been amongst women between 50 and 59. The employment rate for older women has risen by 6.7% compared to a overall increase of 1.8%. There has also been an above average increase amongst women past retirement age.

There are now 24% more women in work, in the ten years up to retirement age than there were eight years ago. And 30% more women past retirement age in work.

Commenting on these figures, Paul Holmes MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Minister for Work, said:

"The increased participation of older women in the labour market is welcome news. But we must ask if this is being driven by the pensions injustice suffered by women. The Government treats pensioners like second class citizens and female pensioners like third class citizens.

"There is a huge difference between male and female state pension levels and the gap is only being reduced at the rate of 40p a year. On present trends it could be 100 years before the typical woman retires on the same pension as her male counterpart.

"Ending this injustice by introducing a Citizen's Pension and setting it at a decent level will mean that older women can return to work for reasons other than a discriminatory pensions system."