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

This Government has done a huge amount for women. Like putting more support in place for childcare, shared parental leave, flexible working

You have confirmed on this very thread that the 'support' for childcare spectacularly missed the glaringly obvious, yet vitally important, provision of before and after school care. Flexible working - for the 3rd time, how do you intend to make that a realistic possibility for working parents?

@jarndyceandjarndyce

ALSO-

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

Yes - she can get back to doing her job as an MP!

Maria
Why would you say you are committed to SureStart, when places like Trafford are seeing their SureStart centre closing.

And when local residents went to a local meeting, the Tory councillors walked out, refusing to answer questions of SureStart closure

story here

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

So the answer is you will do nothing?

Gosh, I wonder why the clinics haven't thought of that themselves?? Clearly the police are either unwilling or unable to act here. So again I ask, what are YOU going to do about it?

P.s the promise is on in London, so what are you going to see in the rest of the uk?

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

Ahh I see. Thanks for clearing that up. Perhaps in future you could decline to comment your personal opinions on abortion, then people wouldn't get the impression that the tories are anti-abortion.

You voted against gay adoption rights, against the human fertilisation and embryology bill which would give lesbian couples the right to treatment, against the process of the racial and religious hatred bill and you are anti-choice.

What is is about you that makes you a good choice to be the minister for equalities?

Ooh, hope I've not missed the boat -

Maria, I'd love to go back to work but full time doesn't work for our me (and many others) alongside juggling a happy home. I've found there are next to no jobs in my profession but it would make so much sense to the British economy for there to be more, to make it easier for hard working parents to contribute, keep careers going and raise happy children.

Sorry if it's been covered already.

I think it's interesting just how little importance culture and equality/women's issue hold for the government, when they are all shoved under the remit of one person...

Oh and second question (if it's a silly one does that mean it doesn't break the one-question-only rule please?)

How long can you hold your breath for?

@poppyseeds99

Hi Maria,

You're supposed to be Minister for 'Women and Equalities' - yet:
a) your comments on abortion times suggest you're not all that keen on the 'women' part of your role.
b)The government's WorkFare project forces mothers with youngish children on benefits to work for free with no offer of longer-term job prospects.
c) Proposed changes to maternity leave make it possible for women return to work just two weeks after giving birth at the behest of their employers.
d) I notice you're also not one of the MPs supporting Mumsnet's Miscarriage Code of Care proposals.

Can you point to something you actually have achieved for women? Or a voting track record with response to women that you can be proud of? Because at the moment you - and your government - are looking far from credible when it comes to women's rights - at work, at home, and as mothers.

I would absolutely love it if you - a female minister - could stand up for women - and I'd appreciate it if you could point me in the direction of some evidence suggesting that you've done just that.

Thank you for highlighting the miscarriage campaign. It seems to me that this proposes some sensible support for women going through an incredibly difficult experience, and I'll raise it with the health minister.

With record numbers of women in work, we need to have workplaces that are fit for women as well as men. That is why the changes we are making (including flexible working, shared parental leave, more support for childcare, plus lifting the lowest paid workers out of tax altogether) are so vital. These are real achievements of this Government and long overdue.

'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.'

Why does that feel to me like the bit in Animal Farm where Squealer tells the hungry animals all production on the farm has increased?

Dear mumsnetters,

Thank you for all your questions. I only wish I had more time. Do please invite me back.

Maria

one person who can't answer a single question properly

I can't believe I used to vote for this lot

The people you claim to be helping are here telling you your plans will not help them. Go figure.

These are real achievements of this Government and long overdue.

Are you for real? Real achievement? To completely overlook the most important part of support for working parents of school aged children i.e. before and after school care, is not a 'real achievement'. It's more a sign of complete ignorance or incompetence. Flexible working - again, for the 4th time, give us some tangible, factual, real examples of how you have 'achieved' anything of substance on this issue.

The cih report published today highlighted that all lone parents with three or less children will be substantially worse off under universal credit. As the majority of lone parents are women I fail to see how this is in any way supportive.

Thank you Maria, that was a really clear demonstration that you understand absolutely nothing about the issues for which you have responsibility. We know where we stand with you

Do please invite me back.

That is an hour out of my life that I will never get back.

I thought they were the perfect politician answers...

Last night I was full of enthusiasm regarding this webchat 'opportunity'. Now I just feel dejected and demoralised.

Thanks mumsnet - because if nothing else this proved exactly what I thought already. :(

I was just thinking the same, crackfox!