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Peter Black and South Wales West Liberal DemocratsRepresenting Aberavon, Bridgend, Gower, Neath, Ogmore, Port Talbot, and Swansea |
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Use skills of older people urges AM
January 21, 2008 12:00 AM
The Welsh Liberal Democrat Social Justice Spokesperson, Peter Black is supporting the campaign to get more people aged 50+ back into work.
Over 160,000 people in Wales aged between 50 and retirement age are economically inactive. The vast majority don't want to be, according to the latest research carried out by Prime Cymru the organisation set up by the Prince of Wales to promote mature enterprise. The research shows that Wales has one of the highest rates of economic inactivity among those aged 50+.
"This waste of talent is not just a tragedy for the people concerned; it is also a huge drag on the Welsh economy itself," said Mr Black. "If only a third of these people were able to return to work, then Wales would be over £220m better off, not to mention the savings on benefits. The increased tax take alone would come to over £60m."
"Achieving this will mean Welsh employers introducing more flexible working, and changing the working environment. It will also mean swift attention to improving skills training for the over 50s by both employers and the Assembly Government."
"As for boosting entrepreneurship and self-employment, given the proven record of success of those aged 50+ in this area, Labour and their Plaid allies need to take steps to ensure that official job agencies take this possibility seriously."
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