Last month, Dr Ros Altmann, government business champion for older workers, published her report on the state of the job market for older workers. The report cast light on the barriers older workers often face in maintaining their careers, achieving the right work-life balance, and adapting their working lives as their lifestyles and personal circumstances change.

The social and civic impetus in creating an age-inclusive job market is clear, but what is also obvious from Dr Altmann's report is the fact that supporting older workers makes economic sense. Specifically, she calculates that extending average working life by three years will add 3.25% to the national economy in just five years. But to realise this economic benefit, we as a society must ensure that older people can find work which makes best use of their skills and experience.