A GOVERNMENT minister has called for a partnership between government, public and private organisations to combat discrimination against older people and those who are disabled.

"We can pass laws and put money in appropriate places, but in the end we have to tackle attitudes and preconceptions and prejudice," Margaret Hodge told a packed Age Concern Hampshire's annual conference in the Guildhall, Winchester.

"Often it's unintentional," she added.

Mrs Hodge, parliamentary under-secretary of state for education and employment, with special responsibility for disability and ageism, said she herself was now well past 50, and was 50 when she entered parliament.

"Prejudice against older people in the employment market is deeply ingrained," she said.

"That leads to unemployment, lower standard of living, a feeling of not being valued by society. There is a culture today that says somehow, old people can't keep up.

"But a survey has shown people over 50 are twice as likely to put themselves on the Internet as the under 30s."

Mrs Hodge then outlined government moves to help older people, and said the government was determined to ensure rights in public services.

"By working with organisations like Age Concern, and other voluntary, private sector bodies, the government and agencies can tackle these prejudices. In the end it's a partnership between government and people," she said.