London’s Green MEP, Jean Lambert, has welcomed Hackney Age Concern supporters to the European Parliament in Brussels to mark the launch of a new proposal for an EU Directive outlawing age discrimination in goods, facilities and services.

Following on from the 2000 directive on age discrimination in employment, the proposed directive, drawn up for AGE (the EU umbrella organisation for older peoples groups) and backed by Age Concern England, would outlaw all types of unjustified ageism in key areas such as health care, financial services and education.

Jean Lambert, who is the Co-President of the European Parliament’s Intergroup on Ageing and a member of the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs said the proposal was a step in the right direction to end ongoing discrimination. Jean commented that the European Commission should take it seriously and act on it; “Everyone is entitled to fair treatment and equal rights regardless of their age and this directive will make the vital moves we need to secure that.  We have had laws in place guarding against discrimination through race and gender and a directive combating ageism is long over due.

“I welcome the proposal as a start to the debate and am delighted to introduce Hackney Age Concern to the European Parliament. Their input to the discussion highlighted the need for action. I now look forward to working with them and other Age NGOs to outlaw Ageism completely.”

ENDS