The increasing pressures of raising a family

UNISON has renewed its commitment to campaign for fully-funded childcare in the wake of a new report showing the extent to which working parents are struggling. 2023 Working Families Index, published last week, found that significantly more parents are reporting it is ‘financially harder to raise a family’. 60% of respondents reported that making ends meet and raising a family has become more difficult ‘over the last three years’. This represents a significant increase from just 45% in 2019. Childcare costs in the UK, which are some of the highest in the world, are a significant factor. Over half of parents surveyed said availability of childcare impacts their capacity to work, with mothers twice as likely to report availability of childcare having a ‘big impact’ on their ability to work than fathers. Availability of childcare impacts not just capacity to work but also career progression, particularly for mothers. UNISON national officer Josie Irwin said: “Childcare costs on top of rising household bills are putting working parents, but particularly women, in a very difficult position. It’s women who end up leaving their jobs because childcare is so expensive.” Earlier this year, UNISON provided evidence to an inquiry into support for childcare and the early years. The union called for: fully funded childcare from the point of need; affordable and flexible so women can work if they want; good pay, terms and conditions for the staff that deliver it; high qu...
Source: UNISON Health and safety news - Category: Occupational Health Authors: Tags: Article childcare equalities Source Type: news