Age discrimination ban comes into force

A ban on age discrimination in services came into force in England, Wales and Scotland earlier this month. The ban means that everyone will be treated with dignity and respect when dealing with public and private services, such as the NHS.

There has previously been no law banning age discrimination in public and private services, which has at times led to unfair treatment.

The new rules aim to stop discrimination against young adults as well as older people, and will tackle things like patients being refused treatment solely because of their age, or gyms turning down people who don't fit their 'youthful' image.

But organisations will be protected by some common sense exceptions, for example insurance companies will still be able to use age when assessing risk and travel operators will be able to carry on offering free bus travel for over-60s.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission has welcomed the ban. The Commission’s inquiry into older people and human rights in home care (‘Close to home’) found evidence of age discrimination in home care services.  One of the inquiry’s recommendations was that the ban on age discrimination in services should be brought into effect as soon as possible.

"The new ban on age discrimination in services is a significant change in the law; one that the Commission has always supported,” said John Wadham, General Counsel at the Equality and Human Rights Commission. "Most types of beneficial age-based treatment can still continue and many businesses won't need to change their practices. However, everyone should be aware of the fact that the ban has now come into effect.”