Why are thousands of over-50s missing from the workforce? New Surrey project aims to find out

While politicians focus on young people not in education, employment or training, a growing number of adults aged over 50 are quietly leaving the workforce, often facing barriers that remain largely invisible in public debate.

A new project led by researchers at the University of Surrey and Royal Holloway, University of London aims to understand why so many older adults struggle to find, return to or remain in work and what can be done to change it.

The project will bring together employers, policymakers, community organisations and people with lived experience to develop practical solutions for more age-inclusive employment.

The project, Unlocking Later-Life Employment: A Co-Produced Roadmap for Inclusive Work in Surrey, comes at a time when the UK faces growing skills shortages, an ageing population and increasing pressure to support longer working lives.

A key feature of the project is its commitment to co-production. Adults aged 50+ who have experienced employment challenges will work alongside researchers as peer researchers, helping to shape the project, gather evidence and develop recommendations.

Researchers will explore the barriers affecting later-life employment, including ageism, recruitment practices, health conditions, caring responsibilities, confidence, skills development and access to support services. The project will also examine how employment, skills and wellbeing services can work more effectively together to support people later in life.

The findings will be translated into practical recommendations that can be implemented across Surrey and help inform wider regional and national discussions about workforce participation and age-inclusive employment.

Dr Lorna Wang, Principal Investigator of the project and Associate Professor at the University of Surrey, said:

“Too often, the experiences of people aged 50+ who are struggling to find or stay in work remain hidden from public debate. Through this project, we want to ensure that their voices are heard, their expertise is recognised and that the solutions developed reflect the realities of later-life employment in today's labour market.”

Dr Filipa Tavares Moreira, Co-Investigator of the project and Lecturer of Law at the Royal Holloway, University of London, said:

“As people live and work for longer, we need a better understanding of the challenges many older adults face when seeking employment or trying to remain in work. By bringing together researchers, employers, service providers and people with lived experience, this project aims to identify practical changes that can help create more inclusive opportunities for older workers.”

The project partnership includes Age UK Surrey, the Centre for Ageing Better, Mole Valley Employment and Skills Hub, Sammi-Select, Compassionism and the Client Impact Awards.

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Note to editors:

For interview with Dr Lorna Wang, please contact: mediarelations@surrey.ac.uk
The project is funded through the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Impact Acceleration Account (IAA) Future of Work in Surrey programme.