WILLOTT BACKS RIGHT TO WORK IN LATER LIFE

12.00.00am GMT Mon 25th Jan 2010

Today, Jenny Willott, Welsh Liberal Democrat MP for Cardiff Central and member of the Work and Pensions Select Committee, applauded the recommendation from the Equality and Human Rights Commission for the Government to scrap the compulsory retirement age and extend flexible working.

Commenting, Jenny said:

"The Commission have got it spot on. People should be able to work to whatever age they choose.

"Over the next 15 years in Wales, 100,000 people will move past the official retirement age. Every single one could be sacked purely on the grounds of their age.

"Many people do not want to stop working at 65 and many others simply cannot afford not to work in later life. But the law can prevent them from doing so.

"Times have changed and the law must change accordingly. This does not mean people have to work beyond the retirement age. But they should have the option of doing so if they want to."