Do you think age discrimination in hiring employees in the UK will really end when the laws change in October?

Answer 1

No. Just because a law is enacted and on the books does not mean it will be enforced and it is hard to prove unless there is a documented pattern.

Companies that do discriminate now may think twice about doing it, but will continue try to find new ways to circumvent the law so they can continue to discriminate against any group of people that they like.