Happy Mothers' Day?

I’m the mother of a seven year old and a five year old. Like many other women, I’m looking forward to Mothers’ Day tomorrow. I’m hoping for breakfast in bed, and homemade cards and cake, and hugs a-plenty.

But this Mothers' Day sees family life across Britain more precious and more vulnerable than ever. Women have been hit hardest by the Tory-led coalition’s financial policies. Three times as hard as men, in fact. 

And in a few weeks’ time, David Cameron is giving millionaires a tax cut worth an average £100,000.  As some 85% of higher rate taxpayers are men, many more of them will gain from the policy than women. At the same time, Cameron is asking mothers to pay more. Cuts to maternity pay in real terms amount to a £180 tax which is coming out of mothers’ pockets, just as family budgets are being stretched more than ever.

David Cameron promised to lead the most family friendly government ever. It’s difficult to feel the love, I must say. Here’s a reminder of just how family-friendly he has been: 

x   Cutting child benefit for 1.2 million families

x   Scrapping the £190 Health in Pregnancy Grant

x   Scrapping the Child Trust Fund

x   Freezing child benefit payments for three years

x   Cutting maternity pay in real terms

x   Closing 401 Sure Start Children’s Centres.

Women are the biggest users of public services, all being eroded; they are more likely to be affected by public sector job losses (we make up around two-thirds of the public sector workforce) and more likely to be hit by the unprecedented cuts in welfare benefits: around three-quarters of the money being cut is coming from women’s pockets. 

A recent survey found that, as a result of reduced incomes, one in five mums are missing meals so their children can eat. Women’s unemployment now stands at 1.07 million – the highest level in 25 years.

Let’s look back and remember what Labour did in government:

✓ Increased maternity leave from 18 weeks to nine months

✓ Doubled maternity pay

✓ Opened 3,500 Sure Start Children’s Centres

✓ Introduced Child Tax Credits.

We all know times are tough. But it’s precisely at times like this that families need a government that is on their side, not one that asks mothers to pay more and millionaires to pay less.