To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the compatibility of existing provisions of employer redundancy schemes with age discrimination regulations, with particular reference to his Department’s own redundancy scheme. (127585)

The Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006 provide exemptions from age challenge for employers that either follow the statutory redundancy scheme or offer enhanced versions of the statutory scheme. These exemptions were discussed with employer groups including the CBI and EEF. However, the Government do not hold details of employers’ individual schemes.

If staff of the Department of Trade and Industry are made redundant, they receive benefits as set out in the Civil Service Compensation Scheme (CSCS). The Cabinet Office is reviewing the terms of the CSCS, taking account of various factors including the provisions of the age legislation, and plans to consult the Council of Civil Service Unions about changes to the scheme in due course.