Almost two thirds of older people feel that the government is doing too little to combat age discrimination, according to a leading charity.

Head of public affairs at Help the Aged Kate Jopling commented: "It's high time the government stopped dragging its heels and took an active role in fighting age discrimination."

Ms Jopling added that ageist outlooks and practices affect older people on a daily basis and can affect the insurance options they are eligible to receive, the type of care they benefit from and even they way they are spoken to.

Help the Aged's Just Equal Treatment campaign strives to place ageism alongside sexism and racism in its seriousness.

The campaign asked the public to respond to the Discrimination Law Review by the government and the results will be given to a government representative later today.

Help the Aged is a charity that campaigns for changes in policy in the UK and abroad. It provides information and community services for the elderly.