Bid to stop employers dumping staff at 65 rejected

A High Court challenge against compulsory retirement at the age of 65 has been rejected. Charities for older people which launched the case have vowed to take their battle to Parliament. Age Concern and Help the Aged said the Government had only avoided defeat because ministers had already caved in to pressure for a review next year. The two charities, now merged as Age UK, had argued that the Default Retirement Age introduced by the Government in 2006 is unlawful because it does not comply with an EU Directive against age discrimination. Under UK law, a British employer can dismiss a member of staff without redundancy payments on their 65th birthday. Employees do have the right to request working beyond retirement age, but although employers have a duty to consider these requests, they need offer no justification for refusal.

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ITN | September 25, 2009

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