State pension age is rising - fears as redundancies among those in 60s trebles in 3 months

“We urge the government to offer more targeted support and retraining to help older workers back into the workplace – to ensure this surge in mid-life redundancies doesn’t drift into long-term unemployment and an early retirement that people neither want, nor can afford.”

Emily Andrews, Senior Evidence Manager, Centre for Ageing Better, said: “The pandemic has had a catastrophic impact on many people’s careers, and those in later life face specific challenges at this time.

“Financially, this is devastating as not only are people unable to contribute to their pensions, they are using their savings or drawing pensions early meaning less money is available when they eventually reach retirement.

“The announcement of funding for 400 level 3 (or ‘A-level equivalent’) courses for adults under Lifetime Skills Guarantee is welcome news for older workers who may need to retrain in the wake of the pandemic.