The Department for Work and Pensions has launched an online ‘Midlife MOT’ to assist older workers with health guidance and financial planning.
Free to use, the website will also help people assess what their skills mean for their careers and futures.
The website will allow people to identify job opportunities across the UK with the aim of delivering on the government’s priority to grow the economy.
The website brings together existing services such as a jobseeker toolkit and charity resources and will signpost to organisations like the NHS, Mind, MoneyHelper, Citizens Advice, the Department for Work and Pension’s find a job portal and its Job Help campaign.
Minister for Employment, Guy Opperman, said he would encourage older people in particular to see what the midlife MOT can offer them.
“We are all living longer and planning for later life is essential but knowing where to start can be daunting.
"Our digital midlife MOT is open to everyone and easy to access, and will give people the tools to make informed decisions – on their personal finances, their health and on their careers,” Opperman said.
As part of today’s launch, MoneyHelper has created a financial tool which will provide a personalised report to help people understand what to prioritise to improve their financial position, from now through to retirement.
The midlife MOT was originally launched in job centres across England where work coaches worked with claimants to encourage planning for later life and “boosting their confidence”.
In its statement on today’s launch, the government gave the example of a lady called Helen from Bolton who used the service.
According to the DWP, Helen wanted a new challenge and recently found a job as a cleaner in a primary school after having received support from her local job centre, which included taking part in a midlife MOT.
Andy Briggs, chief executive of Phoenix Group, who is also the older workers champion of the government, said the launch is welcome news.
“It will be an essential tool in helping people make the most of their longer lives. So much so that Phoenix Group has piloted its own version of the midlife MOT which will be rolled out to colleagues in the coming months," Briggs said.
“The desire to stay in meaningful work for longer is already important to many people. More experienced, older workers offer a wealth of knowledge but are often written-off or overlooked for no good reason. Age is no barrier to learning and I encourage businesses to invest for all, to enjoy the benefits of greater retention and more skilled employees,” he added.
In the Spring Budget, the chancellor announced that the DWP will be increasing the number of people who can access in person Midlife MOT support via their local job centre, from 8,000 to 40,000 a year.
jane.matthews@ft.com
