New Deal 50 plus was launched nationally on 6 April 2000.
It is intended to help workers aged over 50 to return to work. Elements of the package inclue:
- a guaranted minimum take-home pay of £170 a week;
- personal adviser, jobsearch help and training support worth £750;
- a tax-free employment credit of £60 a week (for full-time work) for 12 weeks.
Separate initiatives to help older workers include:
- the Code of Practice on Age Diversity which seeks to end unjustifiable age discrimination. This may be replaced by a statutory requirement if th voluntary code proves ineffective; and
- proposals to increase the minimum age for taking a pension from 50 to 55.
[2000]