Eltham Labour Party

 

What's the Labour Government ever done for hard working families

What’s the Labour Government done for helping our hard working families?

The Labour Government elected into power in 1997 sought change from tiresome Tory legislation.  Since being elected Labour have reduced child poverty and supported the hard working families so that raising their families as well as working is now an achievable task, thanks to our government.

Children in Adverse Poverty

·        Children living in adverse poverty in 1998 were at a shocking high of 3.4 million, reversing this terrible trend was made a priority for the Labour government who since then have been able to half that figure to 1.6 million by 2007.  No thanks to the Tory’s after leaving a third of children in poverty during their time in government, they froze child benefits three years running while costs of livings rose year on year.

·        The Labour government has helped ensure that 90% of families, which makes up for 10 million children qualify for tax credits, of which families can receive up to 80% of childcare costs.

Maternity and Paternity Leave

·        The government has provided much needed support with maternity leave.  The Tory’s only provided a meagre 14 weeks paid maternity leave at £52 a week, giving virtually no support to new prospective families.  The Labour Government has since extended the length of maternity pay to 39 weeks at a total £117.18 a week which is being increased to 52 weeks, ensuring a great start to all new working families. 

·        Tory Leader David Cameron has voted against the maternity leave extension, showing his true colours.

·        Equally now fathers are now allowed two weeks paid paternity leave off work when their baby is born.

·        The Labour government have also given families adopting children the same rights as other families by introducing the same statutory Adoption pay and leave of mothers on maternity leave.

Child Care

·        Child care places have been improved since Labour came to power in 1997 by an increase of 340,000.  The government have also given children aged 3 to 4 twelve and a half hours free childcare every week and will rise to fifteen hours by 2010.

Flexible Working Hours

·        The Government has also provided Parents with flexible working hours. Parents with children under the age of 6, and parents with disabled children under the age of 18 now are supported through their children’s development.  This is action from the government which will soon be increased. 

·        But yet again the Tory Leader David Cameron thinks otherwise voting against giving parents the help needed with flexible working hours.

Child Benefit

·        Child benefit has risen over 55% since Labour have come to power in 1997 from £11.05 to £18.80 a week for the first child and £9 to £12.55 for other children.

Emergency Time Off

·        Now all parents and carers now have the right to emergency time off when faced dealing with unexpected problems for their dependents such as family and illness.

Labour has made sure that hardworking families are not forgotten and have ensured the care and safety needed to support these families across the country is provided for through the labour government and not a backwards Conservative party.  If you would like further information on your rights in a hard working family here are some important websites and numbers you can call:

Usdaw’s Maternity and Parental Rights Pack at www.usdaw.co.uk in “Helpful Resources”

Tax credit advice line: 0845 300 3900 or visit www.hmrc.gov.uk

Advice on childcar, tax credits and flexible working at www.workingfamilies.org.uk or the free helpline for low income families: 0800 013 0313

Choosing the right childcare and affordable childcare at www.direct.gov.uk/parents