women in london

This week’s budget may be important for women’s votes but it’s also crucial for women’s lives

Fawcett calls on politicians to give more weight to the impact of their budget proposals on women’s lives. Tax credits and benefits make up a higher proportion of women’s incomes than men’s and women make up more users of and workers in our public services. Fawcett’s call is backed by polling that demonstrates that large majority of voters (73%) want spending policies that don’t disproportionately disadvantage women.

However, despite attempts by all parties to be seen to be listening to women, nearly half (44%) of all voters and 49% of women still don’t think women’s views are being properly considered when politicians develop policies on tax and spending.

Fawcett Chief Executive, Ceri Goddard, said:

“This week’s budget isn’t just important for women’s votes it’s important for women’s lives. Women don’t just want political overtures, they want politicians of all parties need to look seriously at the impact of their budget proposals on their everyday lives. We’ve seen the leaders of all the main parties make specific and concerted attempts to woo women’s voters but they have not been anywhere clear enough about what their plans might mean for women’s equality.

“For example when they are talking about increases or decreases in state funded adult social care services they should be explicit what this would mean for women who still make up the vast majority of carers. And when they are talking about stimulating growth or employment we’d like to hear what policies they have in place to ensure women benefit too, such as support for women in business or better childcare provision.

“This week’s budget presents an opportunity for all parties to demonstrate that they are serious about delivering for women long term and not just winning our votes short term.”

Fawcett’s call is supported by a wide range of campaigning partners including academics, charities, campaign groups and trades union.

Kathryn Busby, Policy and Campaigns Manager of The Equality Trust, said:

“Evidence shows that a progressive budget that will reduce income inequality is a priority if political parties are to deliver a healthier and more cohesive society. We would like to see budget proposals from all parties that tackle this inequality.”

Dave Prentis, UNISON’s General Secretary, said:

“Building public services – not cutting them – is the key to helping women ride out the recession. Women are already bearing the brunt of the bankers’ greed, as they are most likely to rely on and work in the public sector.

“The economic crisis has also been used an excuse for some employers to fire pregnant women and new mothers – leaving them paying a high price for motherhood.”

The Fawcett Society, with over 40 other organisations representing tens of thousands of women is running What About Women? an election campaign that is asking all the political parties to spell out how their economic policies will make a difference for women lives. This week’s budget presents the parties with a major opportunity to demonstrate that they really are taking women’s equality seriously and not simply courting votes for short term gains in the polls.