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Embargoed until 00:01 01 October 2009 - Civil Service goes retirement free

News Release issued by the COI News Distribution Service on 30 September 2009

By 2010 the Civil Service will be completely retirement free - for anyone who wants to carry on working. Last year a pledge was made to scrap the mandatory retirement age for all staff below the most senior levels. Today, the Cabinet Secretary Sir Gus O'Donnell promised to remove it for everyone in the Senior Civil Service as well.

It means, that from April 2010 all staff who wish to carry on working after 65 will be able to do so, with government departments benefiting from their continuing experience and skills Sir Gus, who is also head of the Home Civil Service, made the announcement on National Older People's Day to highlight the value of older workers.

He said:

"We should not put an artificial and unnecessary cap on the contribution of long serving, dedicated staff - at any grade. I am delighted that we will be freeing up the potential of our older, senior civil servants to continue to serve.

"Today's move also shows the Civil Service is committed to using the knowledge and experience of its increasingly diverse workforce to improve the delivery of public services for everyone.

"Like any successful organisation we need people who have experience in key areas, as well as those with fresh ideas to challenge traditional methods. This announcement demonstrates our commitment to providing greater working flexibility for all civil servants."

CAB 086/09

Notes to Editors

1. The default retirement age is not a national mandatory retirement age. Employers do not have to retire employees once they reach 65 - they are free to continue to employ them as long as they like.

2. Employees have a statutory right to request working longer, which the employer has a duty to consider. This process aims to encourage employers to adopt more flexible practices around retirement.

3. A copy of the press release will be available on the Cabinet Office website www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk

4. For more information contact Sinead Keller at the Cabinet Office press office.

Cabinet Office Press Office 22 Whitehall LONDON SW1A 2WH

Fax: 020 7276 0618

www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Out of hours telephone 07699 113300 and ask for pager number 721338

Contacts:

NDS Enquiries
Phone: For enquiries please contact the above department
ndsenquiries@coi.gsi.gov.uk

Sinead. Keller
Phone: 0207 276 1146
sinead.keller@cabinet-office.x.gsi.gov.uk