Members of the House of Lords have thrown their weight behind a campaign to scrap the default retirement age.

In a debate, tabled by Baroness Greengross, the scrapping of the default retirement age was supported by peers such as sociologist Lord Giddens. Conservative frontbench spokesman Lord de Mauley argued that in the current economic climate, retaining an experienced workforce is essential to employers. Their ability to train up younger recruits, and the knowledge they have assimilated over the years, is vital in keeping any company well run during more difficult times. Older workers are also beneficial to the economy, in that they will contribute to pension pots for longer.

Catharine Pusey, director of the Employer’s Forum on Age (EFA), says: “As government minister Lord Carter pointed out, older workers will help businesses pull through and out of the economic downturn as markets improve, but conversely, they may be those who are often worst hit. It is therefore disappointing that the government is not more forthcoming to anything beyond a review of the DRA in 2011, despite cross-party support for its abolition. The EFA will continue to increase awareness of this issue and campaign to eradicate this age discriminatory piece of legislation.”