Some older people are also still at high risk of “digital exclusion”, MPs believe, because they do not have the skills to access online banking, council or GP services – despite the government launching a digital inclusion strategy, external 10 years ago.

Latest figures from Ofcom say nearly one-in-three people (29%) aged over 75 do not have access to the internet at home, compared to roughly one-in-16 (6%) of all adults.

The Commons report concludes that existing laws against age discrimination are too weak and “failing older people” because they are rarely enforced, despite evidence of the harm such attitudes cause.

Committee chairwoman Sarah Owen, a Labour MP for Luton North, said it was time for a review of how to shrink the UK’s “pervasively ageist culture” and bring in enforcement with teeth.

“It is a considerable failure of government that the digital inclusion strategy has not been updated, nor progress tracked, for a decade,” she said.

“Ultimately much more must be done to tackle ageist attitudes and discrimination across society, including in access to healthcare, local services, banking and transport.”

Owen is calling for the UK government to follow the Welsh example of establishing a commissioner for older people alongside community champions to deliver a national strategy.

A government spokesperson said: “The Equality Act contains strong protections for older people in a variety of settings, including work and the provision of services.

“We recognise the importance of older people and the challenges they face. That is why we are putting more money into pensioners’ pockets through our commitment to the triple lock – which is set to increase the state pension by up to £1,900 this Parliament.”