- Conference
- 2022 Virtual National Women's Conference
- Date
- 8 October 2021
- Decision
- Carried
“This conference welcomes:
The Government’s proposals to extend the right to request flexible working to workers from day one of their employment. This will benefit many women with caring responsibilities.
The move of many employers to introduce hybrid working for many office-based staff allowing women to work from home and the office.
However, this Conference further notes:
Working from home is not a substitute for decent affordable childcare that allows women to effectively carry out their jobs, and for many women, working from home was, and is, not an option. The pandemic demonstrated that women are usually the primary care giver and were expected to work and educate their children at the same time.
Working parents pay the most for childcare in the UK across Europe. On average £138 for 25 hours care.
The Government provides little or no support for childcare providers or parents. Funding for 2021 was based upon children’s attendance in January 2021, meaning many nurseries have been forced to close, and in turn many women have also lost their employment in nurseries.
The Women’s Budget Group have demonstrated that 95% of the cost of universal free childcare would be recouped by women working and contributing to the economy.
This Conference calls upon the National Women’s Committee to work with the NEC, service groups and Labour Link to:
1)Campaign for safe affordable childcare for all parents;
2)Work with partner organisations like Pregnant then Screwed to survey/petition women members on childcare;
3)Consider organising a lobby of MPs by women members on the need for safe and affordable childcare.”
ENDS