Live webchat with Harriet Harman MP on Tues Nov 25th 1-2pm

[HelenMumsnet]

We're pleased to announce that, as part of our ongoing Home Front debate, we've invited Harriet Harman MP to drop by MNHQ for a live webchat on Tuesday November 25th at 1pm.

As well as being Deputy Leader of the Labour Party and Leader of the House of Commons, Harriet is Secretary of State for Equalities and Minister for Women.

Please join us to put your questions to Harriet on anything from the Government's plans for flexible working to Gordon's performance in the present economic crisis.

And, as usual, you're welcome to post any questions here in advance if you can't make it on the day.

Very good point herbietea.

dontcha know that VAT has just been reduced.....i'm sure the govt think that'll cover it - so to speak

anyway - why dont you all go buy a mooncup? much more eco-friendly

NMC, that's appalling.
Ms Harman would you personally ensure NMC gets access to the help you have referred to?

going back to hubby having to give up work - what a waste. he has a PhD in maths and it was him who designed the AI that goes into the computer surveillance this Govt is so fond of. yet he's home taking care of dd cos there isn't enough respite for 50 quid a week.
If the Govt wants to continue with the whole Big Brother thing don't you reckon you need him back in work?
Apologies to all socialists. I am ashamed of what he did, bloody scientists beavering away without thinking what the govt might do with the research

MsHarman appears to either be a very slow typer and is sat saying 'ummm'
They need me in charge

VeniVidiVickyQV Breast feeding is best for the child. but not everyone can do it. it can be a struggle to get it going properly. Women need help and encouragement to feed. But still some mothers want to breasfeed and can't. But where women do breast feed they should be treated respectfully in public places. I was once feeding one of my children in a restaurant - and some of the other diners were making much worse slurping noises - and i was told to go and feed the baby in the ladies! things have changed a lot since then but we're introducing in the Equality Bill a law which makes it clear beyond doubt that breastfeeding women are not to be discriminated against.

nmc

I think it would be pretty funny to watch a commons debate on VAT on tampons and sanitary towels. Can you imagine the blushes

good idea Cali.how come i can type, read and see to my son and reply quicker than you Harriet?

Harriet, as Minister for women why can't you spend more than one hour on such a huge forum? And why can't MN find any guests without a claimed typing speed of below 2 wpm?

A very high % of women CAN breastfeed, they just don't have the support, the NHS isn't providing it and not everyone knows about people like NCT. If men had babies you can guarantee the support would be fantastic!

As for the equalities act it doesn't do anywhere near enough to support us. If someone tells me to stop feeding in public I need to get proof that that happened and come back with a solicitor. I can't call on the police like I could if I lived in Scotland. We need it to be covered under criminal law!

I seem to recall that the lovely Alan Johnson brought a typist with him .

Harriet, is Alan really lovely in real life?

she's a bit faster than David Cameron. Man, was he slow

Must be that age old trick of MP's.

Dodge any questions that they do not want to answer, because they basically don't have a clue about the real issues that people face in their day to day lives.

"But still some mothers want to breasfeed and can't."

Knowing how good b/feeding is for both mother and baby - what do you think the govt should be doing to enable more women who "can't" b/feed? Bearing in mind that after 6 weeks 80 something % of mothers have given up b/feeding.