Forties People

People aged 40-plus applying for jobs in London will soon be able to keep any health issues to themselves.

Employers are at present entitled to ask questions about whether applicants have any medical conditions, are on medication or have a disability.

However, the House of Lords has suggested scrapping pre-employment health questionnaires as part of the government's Equality Bill, which is currently being scrutinised by the chamber.

The National Aids Trust has been among those to welcome the move, describing it as a significant step forward, as many applicants are being rejected because of incorrect assumptions about their health.

Mental health charity Rethink has also hailed this development, as it believes the current system invites discrimination against those with certain conditions.

Paul Corry, director of public affairs, commented: "It could mark a turning point in equal opportunities."

He noted that job applicants with a history of mental illness have until now "had little choice but to continue to cover up their health on application forms just to get an interview".