Grandfather, 77, who ‘can’t get a job because of ageism’ says he feels ‘insulted’ by minister Mel Stride’s claim that people over 50 should get jobs delivering takeaways

• Mr Diprose said he felt ‘insulted’ at the Work and Pensions Secretary’s comments
• He has taken aim at Mel Stride’s comments, calling them ‘ignorant’ and ‘insulting’

A grandad who says he has been turned down from dozens of jobs because of his age has told of his fury after a cabinet minister said over-50s should consider delivering takeaways.

David Diprose, 77, said he felt ‘insulted’ at Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride’s comments suggesting that over-50s needed to take on jobs they ‘might not have otherwise thought of’ to protect their financial security.

The grandfather said he had started looking for a job at the age of 65 because he wanted something to do, but says he has been turned down for more than 60 jobs due to his age.

David, an airforce veteran, said he only felt like he was getting through to job interviews to ‘satisfy age quotas’.

He has now taken aim at Mr Stride’s comments, calling them ‘ignorant’ and ‘insulting’.

David Diprose (pictured), 77, said he felt ‘insulted’ at Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride’s comments suggesting that over-50 should consider delivering takeaways

Mel Stride (pictured), the Work and Pensions Secretary, said last week over-50s needed to think about jobs they ‘might not have otherwise thought of’ to protect their financial security

David retired as an officer in the airforce in 2007 where he spent five years living in Crickhowell, Abergavenny, Wales, before moving to be closer to his family in Oxon and help look after his young grandchildren.

He said that as his grandchildren got older and he was no longer required to care for them as much, he started looking at getting back into employment.

READ MORE: JEREMY HUNT’S £1,000-A-YEAR BOOST FOR PENSIONS IS PART OF A PLAN TO TURBOCHARGE THE ECONOMY 

But David struggled to secure a role. He said he applied for 50 to 60 jobs in middle management roles for between £30,000 and £50,000 and said he felt he was ‘capable’ and qualified for them.

David has now gained temporary work through the government’s national tutoring programme scheme (NTP) and is a registered private maths tutor. However, he currently has no students.

It comes as Mr Stride, 61, last week said over-50s should consider delivery takeaways in the government push to get people back to work.

David said he found the comments ‘insulting’. Instead, he believes a change in attitude would help employers fill their positions and says they should consider ‘old people’. 

‘The assumption is old people, they’re no good – and should ride a bicycle,’ he said.

‘It is silly to assume that those over a certain age have no skills other than riding a bicycle. It’s insulting.

‘I spent a large part of my life between the ages of 60 and 70 providing childcare for my grandchildren. They have reached an age when they no longer need that.

‘Being mentally active, I considered looking for work. After the age of about 55 I found that I was getting to interview only to satisfy ‘age quotas’.

‘The final straw was when I discovered that recruiters were not even bothering to read my CV. It’s frustrating – this sitting on the side-lines.

‘I’d like to see the government promoting the idea the people of my age have skills that can be employed – rather than saying you can ride a bike.’

David got a mathematics degree through the Open University while working as an officer in the air force. He taught at a school after stepping down form the air force before moving to Wales, and then to Oxon to look after his grandchildren.

Older workers should consider ‘youthful’ jobs if they want to continue living in comfort, Mr Stride said (file image of a delivery driver)

David added: ‘I wanted to do something with myself. If you’re a man – if you’re not working, you’re seen as a slacker.

‘You are asked to state your age. I put down 77 and the drawbridge folds in front of front of you.

‘I have discovered that a considerable amount of recruitment is done through agencies and I found that many would not even take me onto their books as soon as I said that I was over 70.’

David said he would fly through any tests required for applications but didn’t seem to be taken seriously at interview.

He said: ‘I was told in one interview I wasn’t a team player on the feedback – but I have 25 years experiences in the air force. They hadn’t looked at my CV and seen that.’

David has now given up on applying for jobs and instead spent five years volunteering at schools teaching maths and is now a tutor.

He feels ‘side-lined’ and doesn’t feel his age bracket is considered enough for jobs they are capable of.

He said: ‘The companies are losing out. I feel I’m capable of the jobs but I recognise I have been out of work and the relevance of what I know may not be completely up to date. But my management skills are first rate.’

David found the work and pension secretary’s comments ‘ignorant’ and ‘insulting’.

He said: ‘There are a number of people over 60 who are physically and mentally active.

‘They keep saying about the cost of pensions. If I was in work I wouldn’t have to be claiming my pension.

‘I’m reading so much about jobs that can’t be filled. If there was more encouragement perhaps jobs could be filled by people that are not considered at the moment.’

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