THOUSANDS of hard working Chinese living in the UK lost their life savings in a pension scam. Employment statistics show that Muslims are the least likely to find work in England and Wales and the most likely to be employed on minimum wage. West Indians face three times the discrimination of any other minority group in the country.

If those statements were true you'd hear about it. Not just in your daily newspaper but from every TV and radio station in the land. It would be a national disgrace and chief constables would be urged to investigate every incident vigorously.

Well, those statements ARE true, not for ethnic minorities but for the elderly. According to a major survey in the North West there are more incidents of age discrimination than all other forms of prejudice put together.

No less than 26.9 per cent of senior citizens have experienced some form of discrimination compared to 6pc racism, 9.1pc sexism and 6pc disability prejudice, but who cares?

When did you ever hear of an organisation being 'institutionally ageist' but ask how many well-paid jobs they've filled recently by applicants over 55, and you'll know it to be true.

When did the police last make a high profile arrest for ageism? Considering the amount of ridicule heaped on senior citizens for their advanced years, you'd expect one or two.

It's quite acceptable for a character to be called a 'boring old fart' on national TV but absolutely taboo for the adjective 'old' to be replaced by any reference to colour, creed or religion.

How many compensation claims are actually won by senior citizens? Is it because they don't scream 'discrimination' from the rooftops or simply because they have no influential pressure group and therefore don't count?

If we truly care about prejudice isn't it time we stopped discriminating against the most exploited minority group in our society?

If you are relatively young and in full time employment, you probably don't care. If you are over 55 and in need of a job you'll know exactly what I mean.

We are told recent employment laws will eradicate age discrimination but, as another Victor would say - I don't bloody believe it.

  • THE views expressed on this page are Vic Barlow's and not necessarily those of the Express.