Gov't support available 'for over-50s becoming umbrella contractors'

Posted on 10 March 2010

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Published by Paul Shrimpton

The government has pledged to offer financial support to older professionals keen to enter the world of self-employment.

Yvette Cooper, secretary of state for work and pensions, has announced the details of a new £10 million initiative designed to help over-50s find new employment roles.

In a speech made to the Social Market Foundation, she said the government would also look to provide training and other assistance to individuals interested in working as a freelancer or starting their own limited company.

Phil Flaxton, chief executive of Work Wise UK, claimed that older workers are often still discriminated against in the UK, where there is a well-established culture of ageism.

He noted: "There are other countries that are in the European Union which have a different approach to people in their advancing years.

"They don't assume that because somebody is of a certain age that they can't do their job as competently as a younger person."

Mr Flaxton claimed that the knowledge, skills and experience picked up by professionals over their careers can prove invaluable to employers.

Categories: Employment Trends