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