Older people ''could be brilliant in banking jobs in London''

The over-50s make "brilliant employees", according to one sector commentator, who is urging employers to consider applicants from this age group.

In news that may be positive for older people looking for banking jobs in London, Emma Soames, editor-at-large at Saga Magazine, said such individuals are reliable as they do not spend the day watching the clock and are unlikely to come into the workplace with a hangover.

She added that over-50s also provide a stabilising influence for their younger colleagues.

However, Ms Soames claimed that ageism continues to be a significant problem within the UK's jobs market.

"I'm very pleased that the default retirement age has been removed but I don't know whether this is going to make it any easier for older people to get jobs," she said.

Meanwhile, Age UK recently revealed that the number of older workers trapped in long-term unemployment has hit a ten-year high.

In the last year, the proportion of people in this age bracket finding themselves out of work for a prolonged period has increased by 50 per cent.