Poll: Age discrimination remains in UK

Age discrimination remains a problem in the UK, according to a large majority of ePolitix.com readers.

An online poll of readers this week found that over 80 per cent of respondents were worried about the issue, particularly as the population gets older.

The survey on the Equalities Bill was conducted in conjunction with equalities minister Harriet Harman, who published the new legislation on Thursday.

As well as proposing to take tougher action against age discrimination, the Bill contained controversial plans to allow for positive action, whereby employers are allowed to discriminate in favour of female or ethnic minority candidates where they are otherwise equal with white male counterparts.

A majority of respondents were opposed to that measure, with 57 per cent against and 37 per cent in favour.

However readers were broadly supportive of other plans in the Bill.

Two thirds backed plans to ban secrecy clauses under which staff are prevented from discussing their salaries with colleagues.

And 79 per cent supported a proposal to give mothers the legal right to breastfeed their babies in public.

The online poll of 536 ePolitix subscribers was conducted from 26 – 27 June 2008. For more information, please contact dodspolling@dods.co.uk