DELIVERBOO

Out-of-touch minister is blasted for saying struggling over 50s should saddle up & deliver takeaways

- LIZZY BUCHAN

MEL Stride used a visit to Deliveroo HQ to urge over-50s to join the gig economy, a sector blasted for its “low pay and endemic insecurity”.

At 61, the Tory minister may have been thinking about his own job prospects after the general election when he made the "Tebbitesque" comments, condemned by unions and politicians.

The number of over-50s Deliveroo riders has risen 62% since 2021.

Asked if more over-50s should apply for rider jobs, Work and Pensions Secretary Mr Stride told the Times: "There are loads of great opportunities out there for people and it's of course good for people to consider options they might not have otherwise thought of." Lib Dem Treasury spokeswoman Sarah Olney said: "This is a classic Tory Tebbitesque manoeuvre. They're out of ideas, so they revert to the past.

"If this Government thinks the best way to get over-50s in work is to tell them to get on their bikes' then they are even more out of touch than you could ever imagine.