This funding is welcome, but the government is systematically turning back the clock on gender economic equality – Champion

Sarah Champion MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Women
and Equalities, responding to an expected budget announcement of funding to
mark the centenary of the 1918 Representation of the People Act, said:

“Labour
is pleased that funding will be provided to mark the centenary of the 1918
Representation of the People Act.

“It’s
right that we mark and celebrate the achievements of so many women who risked
their homes, families and freedom to fight for democracy and economic equality.

“However,
99 years later, women are still having to fight for economic equality under
this Tory government. From cuts to universal credit and 54,000 women
losing their jobs through maternity discrimination, to the treatment of
thousands of women born in the 1950s who have been left with a crisis in their
retirement planning, this government is systematically turning back the clock
on gender economic equality.

"Labour
is committed to conducting a gender audit of all our financial statements in
government and to bringing forward an Economic Equality Bill to address the
structural and cultural barriers that prevent women achieving their full
potential.”

Ends

Editor’s
Notes:

1. Analysis conducted by the Department for Business,
Innovation and Skills and the Equality and Humans Rights Commission estimated
that up to 54,000 women every year are forced out of work due to maternity
discrimination

https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/managing-pregnancy-and-maternity-workplace/pregnancy-and-maternity-discrimination-research-findings

2.Independent
House of Commons analysis has shown that as of the 2016 Autumn Statement, 86%
of net savings to the treasury through tax and benefit measures since 2010 have
come from women