Age equality supporters have stepped up their campaign to scrap mandatory retirement ages in response to an increase in redundancies among older workers. Figures from the Office for National Statistics show that unemployment among over-50s was up 27 per cent over the last quarter, compared with a rise of 8 per cent among those aged 24 to 49. Martin Lishman, director-general of Age Concern, said that only one in five of the over-50s who lose their jobs are back in work two years later. Lishman urged the government to “urgently scrap pointless mandatory retirement ages so people who want and need to continue working can do so”. Last week the House of Lords expressed support for a campaign by Heyday, a branch of Age Concern, to make fixed retirement ages unlawful.