Reduce minimum retirement age for ambulance staff to 55
Review the status of ambulance workers particularly paramedics, who work long shifts including night shifts. Look to reduce the minimum retirement age to 55 years of age, in line with police force and fire service.
Signatures
12,741
signatures
Government response threshold (10,000) · 10,000/10,000 · reached
Debate threshold (100,000) · 12,741/100,000
- 14 AUG 2025Petition closedFinal total: 12,741 signatures
- 28 MAY 2025Government respondedDepartment of Health and Social CareGovernment reply
Government has no plans to reduce the minimum retirement age for ambulance staff. Current members have minimum retirement ages between 50 and 55 depending on when they joined the NHS Pension Scheme.
Read full response - 02 MAY 202510,000 signatures reachedEligible for a government response
- 14 FEB 2025Petition opened for signatures
Background
We think this would recognise the full working life of ambulance staff, and allow them to retire with dignity rather than continuing on into their 60s. We think the physical and cognitive nature of the job means it is very difficult to do at an advanced age. With a lower minimum retirement age we think it could create room for a younger workforce who may be more efficient and effective, capable of making better decisions and thus quality to the service users.
We think this would also make the ambulance service a more attractive career proposition.