Welsh Economy

Part of the debate – in Westminster Hall at 9:30 am on 29 November 2000.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Mr Gareth Thomas Mr Gareth Thomas Labour, Clwyd West 9:30, 29 November 2000

I agree entirely, which brings me to the Government's proposals for increasing the participation of over-50s in the labour market. I make no apology for dwelling on that subject because I represent a constituency with the highest number of pensioners in Wales and one of the highest in the United Kingdom. No less than 35.5 per cent. of my electorate are of pensionable age. Over the past 20 years, the proportion of people aged between 50 and state pension age who are not working has doubled. Currently, about 2.8 million men and women over the age of 50 in the UK are not working. Most do not take redundancy voluntarily. More people wish to retire early nowadays, but of that 2.8 million, the majority would prefer to continue working.