The Socialist 11 March 2020

Coronavirus: Full NHS funding now

Coronavirus: Full NHS funding now

Coronavirus infects the world economy

Flybe collapse: nationalise to save jobs threatened by Covid-19 and downturn

Coronavirus: international cooperation needed, not capitalist competition

Supermarkets are ruled by profit - unions should control supply limits

For full pay during isolation: for public health as well as workers' wallets

Self-isolation patients speak: NHS facilities and advice not up to it

Italy on lockdown: lack of resources and democracy causes panic

South Korea shows capitalism has money to respond to coronavirus

Coronavirus news in brief

Domestic Violence bill: We still need to fight to save our services

News in brief

Postal workers mobilise to win strike reballot

Homerton Hospital workers fight for sick pay

Fighting to transform the union in my warehouse

Argos workers in Sainsbury's stores threatened with losing collective bargaining

Homeless charity workers to strike against intransigent management

Southampton trade unionists say "defend the right to strike!"

Strong support for PCS Broad Left Network

East London uni and bin worker strikes

How can Trump be ousted from the White House?

Salford 'no-cuts' budget includes cuts and tax rises

Stoke council unions beat pay cuts - now let's stop all cuts

Is there an anti-cuts rebellion in Scotland?

Socialist Party joins International Women's Day protests

Housing workers explain reality to idiot Boris Johnson

Swansea: Ask anyone about state of services, you will hear the real story

Camarthenshire: Councillors' 'walk of shame'

Student occupation in support of striking workers

Selling the Socialist

Socialist Party executive committee positions

Greece-Turkey border refugee crisis

Women's rights, trans rights and the labour movement

Film: Greed directed by Michael Winterbottom

Childcare - costly, inadequate and hard work

Book: Why you should be a trade unionist by Unite general secretary Len McCluskey

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Childcare - costly, inadequate and hard work

Creative Commons Zero - CC0 (Click to enlarge)

Juliette Fogelman, East London Socialist Party

Childcare costs have risen 5% according to charity Coram. Its family and childcare survey found the weekly price for a part-time nursery place for a child under two is over £130 - £6,800 a year.

A lot of people feel it's not worth going back to work because they won't make any money or may end up worse off. It's not giving women a real choice about whether they want to go back to work. They end up working for nothing.

There's no way for women to improve their families' situation because their salary gets eaten up by childcare.

Childcare isn't available in a lot of areas. Parents check out nurseries before their child is even born. That's stressful.

If you're renting you might not know where you're going to be living - you're priced out of certain areas.

How can you check childcare 18 months from now? It's difficult getting on a childcare waiting list a year and a half in advance.

Reliance on relations

Childcare is difficult with shift work. Often it's grandparents providing free childcare that makes it possible for parents to go back to work.

Not everyone's parents live nearby or are willing and able to help out. Even If they are, it's hard work on grandparents.

People have to work longer because of pension attacks. It's one thing to want to help, another if you have to. 40% of grandparents provide regular childcare.

Statutory maternity pay isn't enough. If you're on a well-paid job, you can afford childcare.

If you're not earning much, you work for free. People feel guilty about leaving their child to not earn anything.

People should have choice to go back. Deciding to go back shouldn't be based on money.

The main reason I want to go back to work is to earn enough. And if I stayed at home, I'd be accused of being a skiver. But I would be working, I'd be looking after a child.

If people stay home, they should be supported, looking after a child is hard work.

In this issue

Coronavirus

Coronavirus: Full NHS funding now