The rights of older people

Age discrimination law is ineffective, poorly enforced, and fails to protect older people.

There is a wealth of evidence that age discrimination is highly prevalent in the UK and widely perceived as less serious and harmful than other forms of discrimination. Age discrimination law, in particular the allowance of objective justification of direct age discrimination, contributes to this perception. The law as it … Read more There is a wealth of evidence that age discrimination is highly prevalent in the UK and widely perceived as less serious and harmful than other forms of discrimination. Age discrimination law, in particular the allowance of objective justification of direct age discrimination, contributes to this perception. The law as it stands deters discrimination claims on the ground of age and severely limits claimants’ chances of success in the relatively few cases that make it to tribunal. The law does not yet appropriately recognise the inherently intersectional nature of age discrimination, which also contributes to a lack of enforceability. The Public Sector Equality Duty has the potential to address ageism but its specific duties, particularly in England, are far too weak to ensure transparency, accountability, and genuine progress. We believe a wholesale review of age discrimination law is a necessary step in tackling the UK’s pervasively ageist culture and internalised age discrimination. (Conclusion, Paragraph 94) Show less