Expect to work until you're 70 because ageing Britain is 'running out of employees', ministers warn

Experts predict 13.5m extra jobs over 20 years but only 7m school leavers
Pensions minister Steve Webb hails 'untapped potential' in over-60s
McDonald's reports 20 per cent higher output in outlets with older staff

A shortage of workers will mean people will have to stay in jobs until they are at least 70, ministers claim.

Employers are warned they must change their attitudes towards older workers, who ‘already live here and their numbers are growing’.
The government says Britain is ‘running out of workers, with 13.5million vacancies predicted in the next decade but only 7million young people due to leave school and college.

Ministers believe the gap can be filled by older people staying in the workplace for longer.

Around 22 per cent of people are aged over 60, but by 2035 it is expected to rise to 28 per cent.

Pensions minister Steve Webb said: ‘People have often said, 'how are we going to tackle ageist attitudes amongst employers?’ The demographics are going to sort that out for us.

‘Over time there will be a whole set of jobs where employers need experienced older workers and a firm that doesn’t change its attitude to older workers will be left behind,’ he told the Daily Telegraph.

A new guide, Employing Older Workers, has been produced by the government to encourage bosses to keep experienced staff.

It says: ‘Older people are the main untapped source of labour: unlike migrants, they already live here, and their numbers are growing.

‘People are living and keeping fit for longer: most of today’s 65-year-olds will live beyond 80, and some will live beyond 110.'

I blame the lack of immigrants.