Phil Orford, chief executive of the Forum of Private Business (FPB), says: ‘In the absence of a default retirement age, the only viable option available to an employer is a capability dismissal based on the declining competence of the worker. We believe this would be an undignified and humiliating end to a career for most staff.’

Stuart Mitchell, managing director of Machine Building Systems, says: ‘There are quite enough obligations placed on employers without adding an enormous burden such as this.’

Charlie Mullins, owner of Pimlico Plumbers, supports the abolition of the retirement age. ‘Older people should be encouraged to continue working as long as they are capable. If they can’t afford to retire, why should they be forced to struggle when they still have the ability and drive to get to work and make a meaningful contribution?’

Under current employment law, both men and women can be made to retire at 65 unless the employer wishes to keep them on.

See also: Scrapping the Default Retirement Age