On 19 February 2025, the WEC published its report, 'The rights of older people', following an inquiry into the adequacy of current legal protections for older individuals. The report suggests that age discrimination law may not be as robustly enforced as protections for other protected characteristics and recommends that the government commission the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) to conduct a review.
A key focus of the report is the exception allowing objective justification of direct age discrimination, which differs from the legal approach taken for other protected characteristics. The WEC noted concerns that this could contribute to age discrimination being perceived as more acceptable in some contexts and has recommended that the EHRC consider whether specific exceptions would be more appropriate.
The report recommends that the EHRC review:
The government has yet to comment on the report or indicate whether it will act on the WEC’s recommendations. While no immediate legal changes are proposed, the report signals that age discrimination protections could come under increased scrutiny. Employers should remain aware of potential developments and ensure their policies align with best practice.