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New statistics from Age Concern expose the full extent of age discrimination in the UK.

Our major biennial survey of over 2‚000 adults has revealed that more than three times more people have been the victims of ageism than any other form of discrimination.

The survey shows that 23% of the population has experienced ageism in some form – this compares with 7.5% of the population who have suffered sexism‚ 7% racism and 6% disability prejudice.

Of all the individual instances of discrimination‚ 41% relate to age; this rises to 56% of all instances of discrimination for people over 55.

Appalled at the level of ageism in the UK‚ we have launched a month-long campaign to gather older people’s experiences of discrimination when trying to access goods and services.

Anyone of 50 or over who has been the victim of any type of age discrimination can tell their story via an online questionnaire.

Age Concern’s new call for older people to share their experiences of age discrimination in goods and services is being launched ahead of a key year for discrimination policy. The report of the Equalities Review‚ looking at the underlying causes of discrimination‚ is expected shortly (28 February).

In March‚ a Green Paper from the Discrimination Law Review is expected. It will set out proposals for a single equality bill to consolidate and expand anti-discrimination laws. Age Concern is campaigning for better protection against age discrimination – in particular through a positive duty on all public authorities to promote age equality and legislation to stop ageism in goods‚ facilities and services.

Gordon Lishman‚ Director General of Age Concern‚ said:

“Society too often turns a blind eye to ageism – but our research shows it is actually the most common form of discrimination.

“The impact of ageism is also significant. It can mean older people get inferior health care services or are denied access to other goods and services that many take for granted. This blatant discrimination would not be tolerated in any other context.’

“We want to make it clear that age discrimination is wrong. Any evidence of the extent and nature of ageism will help make the case for protection for people of all ages.”

Notes to editors

Contact: Samuel Heath‚ Age Concern England
(020 8765 7512 /samuel.heath@ace.org.uk)

Case studies available

The figures on age discrimination come from a survey that was developed for Age Concern by Professor Dominic Abrams‚ Director of the Centre for the Study of Group Processes at the University of Kent and fielded to a representative sample of 2113 members of the British public by Taylor Nelson Sofres Ltd in July 2006.

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Journalists contact:

Media contact:
Sam Heath
Telephone:
020 8765 7512
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07071 243 243
Email:
Media@ace.org.uk