Pickering voices Opinion on Training for Older Workers ahead of delivering Lecture

Speaking at the Chatham House European Pensions Conference last week, Life Academy Chairman Elect, Alan Pickering said, "It is very sad to see that, for the first time in centuries, substantial numbers of today's young workers may have a shorter life expectancy than their parents. This tragic prospect highlights the importance of increasing awareness of both physical well-being and financial health. Everyone in British public life should play their part in making sure that improved longevity is not a flash in the pan or socially divisive in its incidence.”

Turning to the Government's Pensions White Paper, Alan Pickering emphasised the importance of improved training and job opportunities for older workers. "For many people, staying in work longer will make a greater contribution to their financial well-being than increased saving.” So far as personal accounts were concerned, Alan said that it was too early to speculate whether their introduction would lead to a levelling up or levelling down. “This is essentially a political call. However, before proceeding with its plans, Government must ensure that they are administratively deliverable. This is not something where we can simply "give it a whirl", we are playing with real people's hard-earned money."

Alan made these comments ahead of Life Academy’s Annual Lecture taking place on 22^nd November 2006. His lecture, entitled “Are our Pensions Fit for Workers and our Workers Fit for Retirement?” will give attendees the chance to hear Alan’s views on:

• whether the White Paper proposals will build on tax changes in a way that will benefit workers, employers and the wider economy;

• why increased financial literacy and awareness of healthy lifestyles are essential if working people are to take full advantage of emerging opportunities; and

• the ways in which society can make our financial system and training programmes more inclusive thereby reducing the number of our citizens who feel financially excluded and abandoned on the industrial scrap heap whilst still in their prime.