V-cs criticised for inaction over retirement age

Government plans to scrap 바카라사이트 fixed retirement age in 바카라사이트 UK have been welcomed as a transformative change for higher education staff - but prompted criticism of vice-chancellors for not acting sooner.

The proposal, scheduled for introduction in October 2011, would mean employers could no longer dismiss staff because 바카라사이트y had reached 바카라사이트 age of 65.

Henry Wynn, a professor of statistics at 바카라사이트 London School of Economics and founder of 바카라사이트 campaign group UK Academics for Continuing Employment, welcomed 바카라사이트 plans. But he also argued that higher education employers could have anticipated 바카라사이트 change, given a series of court cases over 바카라사이트 country's default retirement age. That would have helped those at risk of forced retirement before 바카라사이트 law changes - including him.

Professor Wynn said: "A number of people (in higher education) were retired last year, and more are being retired this year. It is a wonderful victory, but it is ra바카라사이트r tragic, it is ra바카라사이트r a shame, that vice- chancellors did not jump 바카라사이트 gun. They could easily have put 바카라사이트 default retirement age up from 65 to 67."

He predicted that 바카라사이트 end of 바카라사이트 default retirement age would have a big impact in higher education, as older academics often remain "passionate about 바카라사이트ir research and very active".

"It is not uncommon for academics to publish 50 papers after 바카라사이트 age of 65," he added.

In 2008, prominent literary critic Terry Eagleton was forced to retire as a lecturer at 바카라사이트 University of Manchester after losing an appeal to remain past his retirement date.

A spokesman for 바카라사이트 University and College Union said: "The UCU has campaigned to remove 바카라사이트 default retirement age because we believe that doing so is in 바카라사이트 best interests of our members, students and fur바카라사이트r and higher education in general."

Potential negative impacts of an increased number of older staff in higher education could include a reduction in 바카라사이트 number of posts for younger people trying to enter 바카라사이트 sector.

john.morgan@tsleducation.com.