Over-50 job seekers struggle to find work, face mounting debt and benefits reliance
Over-50s in the UK are finding it increasingly difficult to secure employment, leaving many dependent on benefits and financial strain.
A growing number of Britons over 50 are hitting a dead-end in the labour market, despite extensive job applications and relevant experience. Alan Fitton, 58, has sent over 3,000 applications since 2017 with no interview, while Marcus Coetzee, 54, and Tina Chummun, 50, report similar silence after thousands of submissions. The Centre for Ageing Better estimates 2.9 million people in this age bracket are neither working nor retired, and almost a million would like to work.
Health issues, age bias and an increasingly automated hiring process are identified as key obstacles. Benefits such as universal credit and personal independence payments now cover most of their income, but the lack of stable work threatens long-term financial security. Georgina Huntley of ManpowerGroup UK advises older jobseekers to highlight current relevance and adaptability to improve prospects.
Why it matters
It highlights a widening gap in the labour market that threatens financial stability for millions of older workers.
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