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Full text of Harriet Harman's speech on the family

5 replies

millie865 · 01/12/2006 17:27

here

OP posts:
zippitippitoes · 01/12/2006 17:45

it does look long

BrummieOnTheRun · 01/12/2006 22:56

Wow. I'm sorry Millie but I have never seen so many words say so little. And manage to spectacularly miss the point.

The statements about the need to deal with 'poverty' and creating 'social mobility' through the family sound so broad, tired and over-used as to indicate Labour itself has lost sight of what these terms translate into in practise.

And to achieve these gradiose aims? "Family Events Savings Trusts" to help us save for weddings and christenings. And notices in the workplace to remind us that we can work flexibly. Please! To even use those as examples of how labour is supporting the family is just insulting our intelligence.

Nice initiatives, but the only way to substantially help working families (and God knows they're doing enough for non-working families) is to relieve the financial burden on them.
I can only see 2 ways of doing that: an overhaul of the tax system for working parents that reduces the financial pressure on family budgets, makes childcare more affordable and/or allows one or both parents work less. If they've got better ideas, let's hear them!

Oh, and in case you think I'm a Cameron luvvie, I was a life-long labour supporter...until I had 2 children. I am SOOO disappointed.

Judy1234 · 01/12/2006 23:24

They could reduce taxes.
They could allow child care to be tax deductible.
They could give people tax allowance according to numbers of children.
They could give more paid paternity leave.

expatinscotland · 01/12/2006 23:28

Do people get paid to do this?

BrummieOnTheRun · 02/12/2006 08:22

Oh, and stop taxing statutory Maternity Pay! I thought it was a joke when I was told I was being taxed on my £100!

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