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Anti-ageism law hits course fees Anti-ageism law hits course fees
(about 2 hours later)
A Welsh learner claims he and other pensioners are being treated unfairly under new age discrimination laws which have doubled their course fees.A Welsh learner claims he and other pensioners are being treated unfairly under new age discrimination laws which have doubled their course fees.
Bruce Parkin, 67, who lives near Holywell, Flintshire, has refused to enrol for year two of a Popeth Cymraeg course after the fees rose to £100.Bruce Parkin, 67, who lives near Holywell, Flintshire, has refused to enrol for year two of a Popeth Cymraeg course after the fees rose to £100.
The charity said new laws introduced in 2006 make it an offence to offer concessions based on age alone.The charity said new laws introduced in 2006 make it an offence to offer concessions based on age alone.
It added that it had lost several older students because of the new fees. The UK Government said course subsidies were a matter for individual colleges.
Mr Parkin and his wife Lilian signed up for the Welsh course last year, and paid £50 each.Mr Parkin and his wife Lilian signed up for the Welsh course last year, and paid £50 each.
It's a situation which means we have lost a lot of learners Frances Jones, Popeth CymraegIt's a situation which means we have lost a lot of learners Frances Jones, Popeth Cymraeg
But when they went to enrol again last week, he said they were told the course fees had doubled.But when they went to enrol again last week, he said they were told the course fees had doubled.
Mr Parkin said: "I don't think this was the intention when these laws were thought up.Mr Parkin said: "I don't think this was the intention when these laws were thought up.
"If what Popeth Cymraeg are saying is true, then everyone who offers concessions is going to have to stop."If what Popeth Cymraeg are saying is true, then everyone who offers concessions is going to have to stop.
"We were told that because of the new age discrimination legislation, they had to put people over 60 on the same footing as other people and therefore were not giving them any more concessions."We were told that because of the new age discrimination legislation, they had to put people over 60 on the same footing as other people and therefore were not giving them any more concessions.
"They were, however, continuing to give discounts to people with Family or Pension Credits and those on Job Seeker's Allowance."They were, however, continuing to give discounts to people with Family or Pension Credits and those on Job Seeker's Allowance.
"I have searched the new legislation online and can find no mention whatsoever of concessions to pensioners, but then the anonymous petty-minded bureaucrat who dreamt it up is hiding well back in the shadows.""I have searched the new legislation online and can find no mention whatsoever of concessions to pensioners, but then the anonymous petty-minded bureaucrat who dreamt it up is hiding well back in the shadows."
Mr Parkin's wife has enrolled again, but he has refused.Mr Parkin's wife has enrolled again, but he has refused.
Hands 'tied'Hands 'tied'
Established in 1999, Popeth Cymraeg (Welsh Unlimited), is a charity which teaches the language in north east Wales.Established in 1999, Popeth Cymraeg (Welsh Unlimited), is a charity which teaches the language in north east Wales.
Frances Jones, tutor organiser for Flintshire, said: "It's a situation which means we have lost a lot of learners.Frances Jones, tutor organiser for Flintshire, said: "It's a situation which means we have lost a lot of learners.
"I certainly know of half a dozen people just in Flintshire who would have come but now haven't."I certainly know of half a dozen people just in Flintshire who would have come but now haven't.
"It's not an ideal situation and our hands are tied.""It's not an ideal situation and our hands are tied."
She added that Popeth Cymraeg worked in conjunction with Llandrillo College and the Welsh College of Horticulture, both of which had also implemented the new policy.She added that Popeth Cymraeg worked in conjunction with Llandrillo College and the Welsh College of Horticulture, both of which had also implemented the new policy.
The Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006 came into force last year.The Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006 came into force last year.
The UK Government ruled that "all courses at institutions of Further and Higher Education should be covered by the age regulations, whether they are specifically vocational or more general in nature. A spokesman for the Department for Children, Schools and Families, said: "The Employment Equality (Age) Regulations make it clear that age-related practices, such as age-related fee concessions, may be objectively justified where they are a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim."
"This is to ensure there is a unified approach to age-related practices and policies in relation to all such provision." He added: "The legislation does not bar colleges and providers from giving fee discounts but, if they decide to do so, the legislation requires that they should produce evidence of objective justification if called upon to do so."
A spokesman for Age Concern Cymru said the legislation was designed to allow some "positive discrimination," such as fee discounts for pensioners.
He said: "Age Concern is disappointed this has happened because the purpose of the legislation was to protect older people who are working or studying in later lives.
"It seems those enforcing the rule are not following the spirit of the legislation."