Explanatory note

These Regulations amend the Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/1031) (“Age Regulations”) which implement the Council Directive 2000/78/EC of 27th November 2000 establishing a general framework for equal treatment in employment and occupation (OJ L 303, 2.12.2000, p.16).

These Regulations postpone until 1st December 2006 the date on which certain provisions of the Age Regulations shall come into force. These provisions are: regulation 7 (Applicants and Employees) and regulation 24 (Relationships which have come to an end) (but only in so far as they relate to the payment of contributions to a pension scheme, admission to a pension scheme and arrangements which relate to the provision of benefits from a pension scheme), regulation 11 (Pension Schemes) and Schedule 2 (Pension Schemes). Consequential amendments have also been made to the Age Regulations to reflect this.

A full Regulatory Impact Assessment report of the effect these Regulations will have on the costs to business, charities or the voluntary sector was included in the Regulatory Impact Assessment that accompanied the Age Regulations. Copies have been placed in the libraries of both Houses of Parliament. Copies may be obtained from the Department for Work and Pensions, Better Regulation Unit, Level 4, Adelphi, 1-11 John Adam Street, London WC2N 6HT.