Jobless adults who have been ‘forced out’ of the workplace will be the focus of an open conference led by Chingford and Woodford Green MP and Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith today.

Following the government’s pledge to help over 50s get back into work, Mr Duncan Smith will be speaking at Chingford Assembly Hall in Station Road about the ways in which this can be made possible.

Mr Duncan Smith said: “For too long older workers have found themselves forced out of work early bringing terrible consequences for individuals and their families, as well as the overall economy.

“We know that older people are more likely to become long-term unemployed or inactive once out of work and it is for this reason that this Government has taken action to tackle the issue.

“Business needs to play its part too, given the skills, experience and work ethic that older staff have to offer. If the UK is to remain competitive and avoid a skills and labour shortage, we need to retain these valuable people in the workplace."

The event is organised by Age UK Waltham Forest.