Older workers are finding it harder to find work, claim the Employers Forum on Age (EFA).

The figures show that unemployment is increasing 44% faster for workers aged over 50 than the national average and those over 50 seeking work are three times more likely to stay unemployed for between 6-12 months compared to those between the ages of 25-49 (23% vs 7.4%).

Catharine Pusey, chief executive at the EFA, says: “Disproportionately targeting older workers for redundancy will be bad for business. We work with many organisations that report huge business benefits from encouraging an age diverse workforce and we urge employers to judge workers not on their age but on their ability.”