57-Year-Old Lands Dream Job, Buys New Clothes: DWP Then Says It Hired Him by Mistake

Over-50s account for a growing share of Britain's economically inactive, while the department's flagship jobs programme is restricted to under-25s. (Credit: AI-generated illustration: Google Gemini)

John Colamatheo bought smart clothes for the office after being told a Department for Work and Pensions (DPW) job would follow his training. On the Monday of the second week, he was taken aside and told the placement was only open to people aged 30 and under. He is 57.

The department has apologised and confirmed he was put on the wrong scheme.