People over 50 describe facing repeated rejection, lengthy job searches and financial pressure after losing work, with some forced into early retirement or reliance on benefits. Their experiences highlight concerns about possible age bias and the damaging effects of unemployment on confidence, relationships and living standards.

Research by the Centre for Ageing Better found that 918,000 people aged 50 to state pension age struggled to find work at the end of last year, rising to 2.9 million when health conditions and caring responsibilities were included. One 59-year-old reported receiving just eight interviews from 598 applications, while a 52-year-old had applied for more than 100 roles and attended 17 interviews without securing a job.