NATIONALISATION OF THE FAMILY

Recent research by London University’s Institute of Education has revealed that 45% of working mothers relied upon their own parents for childcare when going out to work, rather than resorting to childminders or nurseries.

Only 37% of families resorted to paying for childminders or nurseries.

The research was based on a survey of 19,000 children.

That families prefer to rely upon grandparents is sensible and it is to be expected that many mothers prefer not to hand over their children to strangers.

There have been several critical reports over the standard of care in nurseries.

But Labour prefers children to be in nurseries. This is why Labour is increasing taxation and then handing over taxpayers’ money to subsidise the cost of nurseries. This is wrong.

Mothers are quite capable of deciding for themselves how their children should be looked after and how to spend their own money. Under the present system, those mothers who rely upon grandparents lose out as they do not receive the subsidies which would be available had they resorted to a nursery.

Labour should stop trying to nationalise the family. Subsidies for nurseries should be phased out and taxes should be lowered for all mothers.

Labour should stop discriminating against grandparents and those mothers who prefer to bring up their own children.