Worklessness and unemployment
We want to improve support for people aged 50 and over to get back into employment and reduce their risk of redundancy.

Through our research we are trialing new ways to improve employment support for over 50s who are out work and helping those at risk of redundancy to retrain in order to stay in work for longer.
With the age shift and rising state pension age, the number of over 50s in employment is increasing overall. But older workers still face a greater risk of redundancy than younger workers and are much more likely to struggle to find another job once they fall out of work.
Over 50s can be forced to leave employment for a variety of different reasons such as ill-health and inflexible working practices. They also may experience ageism in the workplace and recruitment processes.
Through our partnerships – with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and with Barclays in the West Midlands – we are working to shape current approaches and develop and test new ways of working to address worklessness and job insecurity amongst people aged 50 and over.