Coalition cuts hit older women hardest

This is the headline in this piece in The Guardian following the release of the Labour Market Statistics for September by the ONS.

It seems that women over 50 have been hit hardest as a result of cuts in local authority budgets. On the other hand, unemployment in men over 50 has barely changed since 2010.

Labour have announced the launch of a special older women’s commission.

One of its tasks will be to address the issue of discrimination against women over the age of 50. As reported here, the Commission will feature former BBC presenter Miriam O’Reill. It will also include former Strictly Come Dancing judge Arlene Phillips. The panel will help draw up proposals for preventing ageism and sexism and will also consider whether new legislation is needed to prevent discrimination.