OLDER people in the workplace and employment is the focus of a new inquiry launched by the Women and Equalities Committee at Westminster.

The committee of 11 MPs, including the SNP’s Angela Crawley, is looking at current government policies to help people extend their working lives, and considering further steps which could be taken to tackle issues including age discrimination.

Committee chairwoman Maria Miller said: “The problems facing older people at work rarely make the headlines yet last year nearly 10 million people over 50 were in work.

“We know that many others in this age group who would like to be working are not in employment. Helping people over 50 to tackle age discrimination is good for the economy, for employers, and for individual employees.

"The Government recognises the problems facing over-50s but will its strategy and plans make any difference? Our inquiry will consider progress so far; the things that stop change; what works; and what more needs to be done.”