Penny Lancaster Champions Over-50s Employment Amid Record Jobless Rates
Sir Rod Stewart's wife, Penny Lancaster, is spearheading a crucial initiative to rescue individuals over 50 from the jobs scrapheap, as unemployment within this age group reaches a record high. According to a leading think tank, the number of Britons aged 50 to 64 claiming out-of-work benefits has surged to an unprecedented 2.15 million.
Record Figures and Economic Impact
This marks the first time the figure has exceeded 2 million, representing a staggering increase of 600,000 since the pandemic. This bulge in unemployed older employees is leading many towards a bleak and unwanted retirement. The economic repercussions are severe, with lost tax revenue estimated at £16 billion per year—more than the entire annual budget of the Ministry of Justice.
Commission to Address 'Midlife Crisis for the Economy'
In response, the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) has established a commission of experts, politicians, and public figures to examine what it terms 'a midlife crisis for the economy'. The commission includes notable figures such as broadcaster Angela Rippon and Lady Lancaster. Wellbeing brand founder Liz Earle, aged 62, will chair the commission, emphasizing the overlooked potential of midlife and older individuals.
Lady Lancaster, a 54-year-old presenter on ITV's Loose Women, told The Mail on Sunday that while her own circumstances 'are not typical'—her husband Sir Rod Stewart has amassed over £230 million from his career—she is committed to helping 'ensure midlife is seen as a time of renewed possibility instead of decline'. Sir Rod, 81, and Lady Lancaster have been married for 18 years.
Workforce Challenges and Personal Testimonies
Since Chancellor Rachel Reeves' last Budget, which imposed a £25 billion tax increase on companies, more workers aged 50 to 64 have left company payrolls than any other age group except those aged 25 to 34. This trend highlights the growing challenges faced by older employees in the current economic climate.
One focus group participant poignantly described the job search experience for over-50s: 'When it comes to looking for work, it's like walking into a horror film.' This sentiment underscores the urgent need for action to support this demographic.
Voices from the Commission
Liz Earle stated: 'For too long we've overlooked people in midlife and older despite their experiences and their resilience... This comes at great cost to individuals, companies, and the Government.'
In a personal essay, Penny Lancaster elaborated on her motivations: 'I've met many women who feel pushed aside in midlife, when they still have so much to contribute. There is no better time for this commission to listen to the real experiences of people facing obstacles to work and ensure midlife is seen as a time of renewed possibility instead of decline.'
She added: 'Whether in my campaigning, policing, or television work, the women I speak to in their 40s, 50s, and 60s have built careers, raised families, and held communities together, yet feel quietly pushed aside just when their experience should carry the greatest weight.'
Recognizing her privileged position, Lancaster noted: 'I recognise that my own circumstances are not typical, and that many women face pressures I do not in my life today, that makes it all the more important to use my platform to amplify what I hear.'
Future Goals and Solutions
Upon joining the CSJ initiative, Lancaster affirmed: 'When the Centre for Social Justice invited me to get involved in this initiative, I said yes because I believe that this is a stage of life that cannot be written off.'
The commission aims to 'listen to men and women in their prime who feel blocked from reaching their potential, and find the solutions that will help thousands more people in their golden years to live happy, secure, and fulfilling lives.' This effort seeks to transform the narrative around aging and employment, promoting inclusivity and economic vitality for all age groups.
