People seeking employment in their 40s are increasingly excluded from work because employers regard them as "over the hill", according to a new report out today.

The Third Age Foundation says many employers only want to recruit people in their 20s or 30s.

Forum Response: Age Concern

Gordon Lishman, director general of Age Concern in England, told ePolitix.com: "Attitudes are old fashioned - not the people. In an ageing population it is incomprehensible that we live in a society which tolerates age discrimination and treats the over-40s as past it."Many people over 40 find it difficult to continue succeeding in the workplace because of ageist policies and cultures or a lack of training opportunities. The age discrimination employment legislation that comes into place in 2006 is welcome but does not help those that are without jobs today.

"There also needs to be more flexibility for those who wish to continue working past the state retirement age. Forward looking businesses are abolishing mandatory retirement ages and are reaping the benefits from those people with experience who are enthusiastic to keep on working."

Forum Response: Help the Aged

A spokesman for Help the Aged told ePolitix.com: "Excluding the over 40s from employment is very short sighted of British industry. People of this age and above can bring a wealth of professional experience and knowledge to a role as well as respected interpersonal skills that their younger counterparts may be yet to develop."