Older IT contractors are still victims of ageism in the job market, a leading working practices group claims.

While some employers see the experience of older workers as an advantage, a "culture of ageism" still exists, Work Wise UK claims.

The problem is particularly prevalent in the IT industry, where employers often assume that just because a person has not grown up with the technology, they will not be able to use it, according to Phil Flaxton, chief executive officer of the group.

"For a long time now there has been a situation where if you are over the age of 40 you are on the wrong side of being potentially useful for an employer and if you are over 50 then it is even worse," Mr Flaxton said.

Yvette Cooper, secretary of state for work and pensions, recently announced that an extra £10 million pounds would be made available in the next fiscal year to help support older workers.

Some of the money will be used on an initiative designed to get employers to take a more flexible approach to recruitment of older people.