Employment Minister Andrew Smith has launched a new code of practice urging firms not to discriminate against older workers.

Employers who discriminate against job applicants on grounds of age will have to defend their actions to tribunals, under Labour proposals to combat ageism in the workplace.

The Oxford East MP is to ask chairmen of tribunals to consider taking on the responsibility of enforcing the Government-backed anti-ageism code.

But the Government itself came under fire from union leaders for forcing its own staff to retire at 60.

Whitehall staff chief John Sheldon said: "The Government needs to gets its own house in order first."

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