From October 1st, the Default Retirement Age (DRA) will no longer exist in the UK.

This means employers will be unable to automatically sack staff members over the age of 65.

Age UK said it hopes this will be a catalyst for change and bring about an end to workplace discrimination against older individuals.

Director of charity at the organisation Michelle Mitchell claimed the decision to scrap the DRA is a "victory" for those of a higher age.

She noted that "traditional rigid ideas about retirement are changing" and the government should highlight the benefits of hiring such staff members to businesses.

"Many people will want to work longer for personal or financial reasons and prejudice should not lock them out of the workplace," Ms Mitchell concluded.

Deputy Labour leader Harriet Harman recently said her party will back public sector pension strikes if the government does not reach an agreement with trade unions over reforms.

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