Ageism rules aim to change attitudes

From October 1, companies will not be able to discriminate on the basis of age for recruitment, promotion or training.

Neither will they be able to force people to retire below the age of 65 and staff will have the right to ask to work beyond normal retirement age.

"We've tried to put in place something that is common sense and something that will also I think change people's general culture, their attitude towards age," Darling told BBC radio.

"It will make a difference not just in the law but also in changing people's hearts and minds."

But he conceded there would be "some degree of uncertainty" over the effects of the legislation before courts had dealt with any test cases.

He said it would be allowable for a deep sea diving company, for example, to refuse to employ an 80 year old man on the grounds of unsuitability for the rigours of the job.

But a clothes store targeting young shoppers would not be able to refuse to hire a 50 year old shop assistant on the grounds they were the wrong age profile.

He said the new rules were right for the economy as well as being fair to individuals.

"In about 15 years' time about one in three workers will be over the age of 50.