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.

'she's a bit faster than David Cameron. Man, was he slow ' in sooo very many ways (unless it was the queue to ban plebs from Cornwall obv )

MN could provide a typist. Remember we had to tolerate the annoying flower advert a few weeks ago. That could pay for a temp!

I bet she isn't slow cos her fingers are freezing off. My thermometer above the computer says 8 c which I believe is the temp outside.
But I'm cheered to think the greedy energy companies will lower bills after the winter. Wholesale gas has dropped 30% and here we are still freezing out knickers off.

It would be criminal law if men had to breastfeed.

Just like sanitary items would be VAT free!

my original post was-
It seems I have made five mistakes according to the government.1. getting married, 2. having children, 3. owning my own house, 4. having a degree & 5. becoming a teacher.
If I had not got married I would be receiving over £1000 a month in benefits and living rent free, if I had not had children I would not be scared about bringing up black boys in London, if I hadn't bought a house or gone to university I would not be in debt,If I hadn't become a teacher I wouldn't have suffered from depression or been falsely accused of assault.
My question is- How can you convince me that my life is the better option? The fact is, your government is not doing anything to help people like me.

do you think you may be able to answer? youve only got 15 mins left e but really you should have read through in advance!

AuraofDora, Bubble99 and Phantom of the Chocolate,

About the economy, we are in uncharted waters with problems accros the global economy. Gordon Brown and the Chancellor are doing 2 things....first to protect families, small businesses, and jobs in this country. and secondly to work with other countries to make sure that we have a robust system for regulation and rules for the international finacial services market. So that families and businesses are not put at risk. The economy is not bankrupt. The government has had to put a lot of money in to back the economy up. But without that action it would be a total disaster. And when we come to balance the books after the economy has stabilised we will make sure it is fair, making people who earn over £150,000 pay more and people on lower incomes to be protected.

sunshineakindat,

almost the same issues that I have, I think we are going to go unanswered somehow!

Harriet, those people on 150K are already bitching about paying a little bit more. And why delay it till 2010? Its just a feel-good statement isn't it. you can own up here...

One hour is too short for these sorts of webchats.

One hour to question someone married to someone flogging cookery books is fine.

One hour to question someone with so much influence over our lives is not.

MNHQ, do you send a link to the thread in advance, so the guest can prepare their answers to the questions already asked?

It's all a bit silly really.

you think cali . if theres 2 of us on here think of the millions out there Harriet in the same situation but with no access to a computer to rant!

Oh, I am sorry.

you are doing nothing to protect families.

If I got divorced and gave up work, I would be better off.

That is what is ludicrous about this country and it's current government.

we need a woman chancellor. After all, let a man loose in a supermarket and he comes out with chocolate and gateau and no proper food, while your average woman can feed a family of 6 on 50 quid a week
We could balance the budget.

sunshineakindat
Older people type slower than younger people.....please don't indulge in age discrimination! And i'm thinking about my replies which takes time. So give me a break sister!

Several posters, most if not all graduates who theoretically could earn well and be taxed well, have asked about special needs childcare.

Please answer.

I have had statement from student loans today saying I owe £14k; please tell me who will care for my children so I can pay it back? I'd like to, please.

well.. give Harriet her dues- she did turn up and start posting early...

only 6 mins to go Harriet you might be able to squeeze an answer in!

Yes, I do feel for Ms Harman - it's not enough time to respond to the responses, as it were. One hour isnt enough. Pre-typed answers to pre-posted questions would have made it easier to respond to the here and now.

Hello, Harriet. Thanks for coming on here. I want to know why mothers of multiples (twins, triplets etc) seem to be discriminated against by this Labour government when it comes to tax credits etc? You only get one baby element, rather than two? But it is not as if you can recycle your highchair, cot, clothes from one baby to the other if they are twins?

The same is true for the proposed bill on nutrition in pregnancies? Women expecting twins or more need more nutrition than women expecting one, but yet they're only going to get one payment? The research suggests that mothers expecting twins who have better nutrition have less premature babies and therefore it would save hospitals money in the long run.

It's really expensive to have multiples, but we get NO support at all from this government. NONE! Nothing from councils, nothing. In fact, we're discriminated against.

Also I think school admission policies should be to keep multiples together where possible in the same school.

If you had more time to spend around here you'd find there is a certain sense of humour here that you get used to. No one means anything by it... I think!