Higher benefits for older unemployed, Labour says I don't think there's anyone quite as angry as Britain's over 50s. The people who have spent a lifetime raising families or caring or working and paying into the system for over 30 years only to find when they needed help there was almost nothing for them," Mr Byrne wrote. According to calculations carried out for Mr Byrne by the House of Commons Library, workers over 50s have paid an average of 33 years of National Insurance Contribution. They have each paid an average of £107,000 over their working lives. Current rules do link NICs payments to JSA levels, but Labour has said it wants to go further and provide a new higher rate of benefit for those with long work histories. Mr Byrne also said that Britain should learn from other countries who give more targeted help and support for older jobseekers. Japan, for instance, has specialist job centres for older people seeking work. And Canada offers a training grant for older workers seeking to develop new skills. Mr Byrne's pledge today is part of Labour's attempts to reach out to older voters and show that the Opposition understands their concerns. Older voters are more likely to cast their ballots in general elections, meaning all political parties are keen to woo them. After a lifetime of work, many people aged 50 and above are now facing a painful squeeze on their living standards, Mr Byrne said. Those born in 1963 were born into a turbulent, exciting world. The Beatles released their first number 1 album. President Kennedy was assassinated. The Profumo scandal shook Britain," he wrote. "Now as these workers enter their 50s, they face a turbulent, stressful world of the "silver squeeze." Many care for parents and grandchildren. Many are still providing board and lodging to children who can't afford to move. Prices are going up, wages going down and long term unemployment is spiralling out of control. In fact long term unemployment is hitting the over 50s harder than anyone else.