Figures show mature workers map

Companies such as B&Q employ many older people

As new age discrimination laws come into force in the UK, figures show that Solihull has the highest number of mature workers in the West Midlands.

Stoke-on-Trent has the lowest number with 21,000 compared to the 35,000 people from Solihull who are employed and aged between 50 and 69 years old.

Half of the 180,000 people in that age group from Birmingham are employed.

The legislation makes it unlawful to discriminate against workers under the age of 65 on grounds of age.

Unlimited fine

The laws affect several areas including, recruitment, training, promotion, redundancy, retirement, pay and pension provision.

Campaigners say it is the biggest single change to employment legislation in 30 years.

Those who feel they have suffered because of their age will be able to take a case to an employment tribunal, where the penalty will be an unlimited fine.

The list below shows the number of people aged between 50 and 69 years of age in each area in the West Midlands region and how many are employed.

• Solihull 56,000 - 35,000

• Wolverhampton 54,000 - 33,000

• Worcestershire 138,000 - 83,000

• Warwickshire 132,000 - 78,000

• Shropshire 71,000 - 41,000

• Herefordshire 56,000 - 32,000

• Staffordshire 206,00 - 114,000