Live webchat about women and work with Maria Miller, Culture Secretary and Minister for Women and Equalities, TODAY, Thursday 22 November, 1pm to 2pm

[FrancesMumsnet]

Hello, we're very pleased to announce that Maria Miller, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, and Minister for Women and Equalities will be joining us for a live webchat on Thursday 22 Nov between 1pm and 2pm.

Maria has been the MP for Basingstoke since 2005 and has previously held shadow education and family briefs. Before entering Parliament, Maria worked in advertising. She is married with three children.

This is Maria's second Mumsnet webchat.

Maria is keen to hear your thoughts on how to get more women into work, with a particular focus on getting the right childcare in place for women. She also wants to hear your thoughts on how the government can make workplaces more equal environments, where women can better realise their potential.

Do join us for the webchat. As ever, if you can't make it, please post up your advance questions here.

Thanks,

MNHQ

[Ahardyfool]

Oh my word! Are you trying to tell me that the reason my 9 year old isn't supported by his father is because the IT system doesn't work?

[ChrissyD68]

£500 grants will help up to 6000 businesses . . . err £500 x 6000 = £3,000,000, didnt you say the amount is £2M!!!

[TunipTheHollowVegemalLantern]

I must say I feel very sorry for Maria Miller having to do the difficult, no, impossible job of defending this government's record on women and equality.

Sorry Maria but none of it is really washing. Why don't you just admit they've failed miserably and they don't really give a shit?

[kongy]

Maria, what will you do about giving parents better control of technology to block pornographic TV and webpages and apps?

[bunchamunchycrunchycarrots]

That's changing, so we will have a system that actually works and for the first time parents will have the proper support they need. I used to look after this in my last job, and will continue to keep a close eye on how things progress. It's really important for families.

Absolute nonsense! I currently receive maintenance, regularly, without any hassle whatsoever, through the CSA, and it's the only way I can guarantee my DD will receive the support she is legally entitled to from her father. You start charging me for that service, and taking from the money my DD is entitled to - that's not providing the proper support my DD needs. I'll have no choice but to try and make private arrangements with my ex, and that will last all of 5 minutes. Your so-called new system will ensure my DD endures financial hardship. That is not a system that provides proper support.

[MariaMillerMP]

I've had a lot of questions about abortion. Anything to do with abortion is treated as a matter of personal conscience in Parliament. So, my views on it are my own personal ones. It is important to be clear that the Government never has - and never would - seek to change the law on this. Any proposals for changes in the law would come from a backbench MP who is not a member of the Government. It isn't a matter of party politics.

[ChrissyD68]

Come on Maria you have 5 minutes to answer a question properly . . . give us some hope . . .

[MmeLindor]

Creating more childcare isn't the answer though, is it? Parents still have to pay for childcare, and that is not taking up more that a full time wage for many families.

When I lived in Germany, state run nurseries meant that I paid ?300 a month for full time childcare of two children, (aged 3 and 6yo)

Do you know what that would cost a family in UK?

Why don't we invest in nurseries rather than in individual tax credits for working families?

[slug]

But don't you think it's a bit disingenuous to make that bland statement when, as the Minister for Women you are on record as having fairly anti-woman opinions on the subject?

Hardly engenders much faith in you or your position.

[MariaMillerMP]

@slug

"we have record numbers of women in work under this Government."

Really????? When did you count this? At the very beginning of the govt? Because women are losing their jobs in disproportionate amounts during the recession. How do you square this with your comment above?

Slug, the stats are official statistics, independent of Government. They show that there are more than a quarter of a million more women in work now than in 2010. Overall, a million new jobs have been created in the private sector this country in the past two years. What is equally true is that there are more women than ever before putting themselves forward for jobs, which is why it is really important that we modernise our workplaces, to make sure they can balance work and home.

[TunipTheHollowVegemalLantern]

'The CSA does not work because men refuse to pay maintenance.

The IT system has nothing to do with it. Men refuse to pay. No one makes them.'

exactly.

[2andout]

Please could you answer my question on what you personally, as Minister for Women, are going to do to stop the harassment of women trying to access abortion services in this country. It is disgraceful and shocking that this is simply being brushed under the carpet.

[TunipTheHollowVegemalLantern]

'Slug, the stats are official statistics, independent of Government. They show that there are more than a quarter of a million more women in work now than in 2010.'


And how many of those jobs are part-time?

[bunchamunchycrunchycarrots]

which is why it is really important that we modernise our workplaces, to make sure they can balance work and home.

Again, how do you intend to address this? There is no point saying that people have the right to request flexible working when the reality is that does not happen for many, many people. How do you intend to change that?

[slug]

Record numbers of women in poorly paid part time work don't you mean?

[MariaMillerMP]

@TunipTheHollowVegemalLantern

I must say I feel very sorry for Maria Miller having to do the difficult, no, impossible job of defending this government's record on women and equality.

Sorry Maria but none of it is really washing. Why don't you just admit they've failed miserably and they don't really give a shit?

Completely disagree! This Government has done a huge amount for women. Like putting more support in place for childcare, shared parental leave, flexible working, and there are more women on the boards of our top companies. And our tax changes recognise the fact that the cost of living is a real concern for women too. Yes, there is much more to do, but I am proud of our achievements so far.

[jarndyceandjarndyce]

"Anything to do with abortion is treated as a matter of personal conscience in Parliament"


......right.

So if it's so personal, why are you making statements about it?

[http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/11/20/maria-miller-abortion-20-weeks_n_2163843.html?ncid=GEP]

If you don't intend to make any changes to the abortion limit, why on earth mention that you think it should be change? Do you not think that could be inflammatory?

Why mention it at all?

[MariaMillerMP]

@Ahardyfool

You know, none of my (many ) questions have been answered. Indeed they have been skipped over. However, this has answered the very question I need to understand the answer to most; "is this Government doing anything to empower me as a woman and a parent?" No.

They aren't been ignored, just trying to get through all the questions. There are more than a quarter of a million more women in work than in 2010, we're increasing female participation sport, we're got a childcare package worth over a billion pounds, we're reforming the education system to give our children the best chance.

Plus it's important to recognise that women want to know that we are dealing with the deficit and the economy, That we aren't leaving a huge debt burden for our children to pay in the future.

[jarndyceandjarndyce]

ALSO-

How do you feel about Nadine Dories being voted our of I'M a Celeb? Are you pleased?

[RatherBeOnThePiste]

Proud

[MariaMillerMP]

@2andout

Please could you answer my question on what you personally, as Minister for Women, are going to do to stop the harassment of women trying to access abortion services in this country. It is disgraceful and shocking that this is simply being brushed under the carpet.

2andout, this is completely unacceptable and should always be reported directly to the police.

[TheMysteryCat]

Maria,

That was a very backward way to answer my question when the arts council has been cut by 50%, local authority funding has been reduced on average by 30% and in some cases reduced to nil, not to mention the large number of arts organisations that recently had their funding cut entirely.

Also, according to Danny Boyle and Nicholas hytner, you may have been there, but did not engage with a single one, or visit their venues.

So, what exactly have you done for the arts? I can't see anything at all.

[MariaMillerMP]

@jarndyceandjarndyce

"Anything to do with abortion is treated as a matter of personal conscience in Parliament"

......right.

So if it's so personal, why are you making statements about it?

[http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/11/20/maria-miller-abortion-20-weeks_n_2163843.html?ncid=GEP]

If you don't intend to make any changes to the abortion limit, why on earth mention that you think it should be change? Do you not think that could be inflammatory?

Why mention it at all?

It's NOT something I've raised, it's something that journalists keep raising with me.