Media Round-Up: November 2023

Autumn Statement:

• In its Politics Live reporting on the Autumn Statement, the Guardian included our analysis that the announced cuts to NICs will benefit men more than women: “Jeremy Hunt cuts national insurance but UK tax burden set to hit high amid plummeting living standards”
• Our director Dr Mary-Ann Stephenson was on LBC discussing the Autmnn Statement with Fi Glover and Jane Garvey. She stressed that “What we saw with this budget was a decision by the chancellor to make tax cuts that largely benefit men at the expense of public services, which women are more likely to use and work in.”
• Responding to rumours that the Chancellor might use October’s inflation rate to raise benefits instead of the September inflation rate in his Autumn Statement, we published figures showing that single mothers would lose out £218 a year. Our analysis was picked up by the Guardian Business Live reporting: “Charities urge government not to ‘fiddle’ benefits increase after inflation hits two-year low”

The Guardian ran new research from the Early Education and Childcare Coalition on the staffing crisis in the early years sector as an exclusive, headlining

“Staff exodus could hinder expansion of free childcare in England, providers say.”

WBG supported the research and our calculations on the shortfall in funding were also referenced in the piece.

In a piece published in the Financial Times exploring “Why Women are at the sharp end of the rental crisis”, WBG’s Emma Thackray adds important context on how “Punitive measures” like the cap on benefits and two-child limit are pushing women further into poverty and exacerbating the rental crisis for women.

Our director Dr Mary-Ann Stephenson was quoted in an article titled “Mother knows best: are we overlooking the value of stay-at-home mums?” published in Politics Home, stressing that “Instead of “family budgets”, we need “increased and extended paid leave, more flexible working, and secure part-time work.”

Labour Hub picked up our response to the King’s speech, which we believe was a missed opportunity to address the real and pressing issues facing society today.