However, a move to outlaw job adverts which discriminate on the grounds of age has failed to win ministerial backing.

The BBC's Mark D'Arcy reports on the Commons debate on ageism (3'28")

The government announced that from April, any vacancies which specify an upper age limit will not be accepted in England, Scotland and Wales.

The Employment Minister, Andrew Smith, said unjustified age discrimination was "morally wrong."

Smith: ageism is 'morally wrong'

Earlier this week, Mr Smith proposed a voluntary code of practice, saying that immediate legislation could risk a complex "legal minefield".

He said the possibility of future legislation was not ruled out but added that he hoped a code of practice would help change attitudes among business.

Private Member's Bill rejected

Ministers have decided not to support a Private Member's Bill indtroduced by the Labour MP Linda Perham aimed at stopping employers imposing unfair age limits in job advertisements.

The bill, which had cross-party support as well as the backing of pressure groups like Age Concern, returns to the queue of backbench legislation with no chance of becoming law.

During the Commons debate, Labour's David Winnick, who tried to introduce an anti-age discrimination bill in 1996, said older people who look for work after losing their jobs faced "acute difficulties".

He likened the effects of ageism to racism and gender discrimination.