Claire Perry Calls for Continued Childcare Support for Working Mothers

On the 28 March 2011, Claire Perry, MP for the Devizes constituency asked the Rt. Hon. Iain Duncan-Smith, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, for his assurances that support for childcare costs will be provided through the proposed Universal Credit in the Welfare Reform Bill.

Speaking after the parliamentary session, Claire said:

"There are many working mothers in my constituency of Devizes who are concerned that the introduction of the Universal Credit will include the removal of their working tax credit and therefore access to childcare support. I am very encouraged by the Secretary of State's response that this will not be the case.

"I was also very pleased to hear statements today that both men and women will see significant improvements in their incentives to work and that lone parents will also greatly benefit under the new system. The reforms show the Government's commitment to simplify a very complicated welfare system while also ensuring gender equality and fairer benefits for working parents.

Notes

1. The Government has introduced its Welfare Reform Bill, which will gradually replace the current system of means-tested working-age benefits and tax credits with an integrated payment, the Universal Credit.

2. As announced by the Secretary of State, the Equality Impact Assessment published earlier this month shows that "the effect of the Universal Credit measures in the Welfare Reform Bill on gender equality is approximately equal".

3. To read the Equality Impact Assessment on Universal Credit, visit: http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/eia-universal-credit-wr2011.pdf

4. To read Claire's question and the Secretary of State's response, visit: http://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/claire_perry/devizes

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