Comments on: Women and recession: the debate goes on http://touchstoneblog.org.uk/2009/05/women-and-recession-the-debate-goes-on/ Policy news and comment from the Trades Union Congress (TUC) Thu, 24 May 2012 10:00:06 +0000 hourly 1 By: Recession Report #8: comparing this recession to the 80s and 90s | ToUChstone blog: A public policy blog from the TUC http://touchstoneblog.org.uk/2009/05/women-and-recession-the-debate-goes-on/comment-page-1/#comment-2652 Recession Report #8: comparing this recession to the 80s and 90s | ToUChstone blog: A public policy blog from the TUC Tue, 23 Jun 2009 08:47:25 +0000 http://www.touchstoneblog.org.uk/?p=2558#comment-2652 [...] report also considers how the recession is affecting particular groups and sectors. As we have previously reported, men are losing their jobs faster than women, but women look set to experience greater rises in [...] [...] report also considers how the recession is affecting particular groups and sectors. As we have previously reported, men are losing their jobs faster than women, but women look set to experience greater rises in [...]

]]> By: Nicola Smith http://touchstoneblog.org.uk/2009/05/women-and-recession-the-debate-goes-on/comment-page-1/#comment-2369 Nicola Smith Tue, 19 May 2009 16:42:57 +0000 http://www.touchstoneblog.org.uk/?p=2558#comment-2369 Thanks Heather. You might also be interested in our 4th recession report which found that while during the early stages of the recession men had lost most jobs than women, the key reason for this was women's job gains in the public sector - as this starts to change more women's jobs will certainly be at risk. (http://www.touchstoneblog.org.uk/2009/02/recession-report-4-unemployment-up-and-vacancies-down/#more-1948) Thanks Heather. You might also be interested in our 4th recession report which found that while during the early stages of the recession men had lost most jobs than women, the key reason for this was women’s job gains in the public sector – as this starts to change more women’s jobs will certainly be at risk. (http://www.touchstoneblog.org.uk/2009/02/recession-report-4-unemployment-up-and-vacancies-down/#more-1948)

]]> By: HEATHER WAKEFIELD http://touchstoneblog.org.uk/2009/05/women-and-recession-the-debate-goes-on/comment-page-1/#comment-2366 HEATHER WAKEFIELD Tue, 19 May 2009 16:09:56 +0000 http://www.touchstoneblog.org.uk/?p=2558#comment-2366 I have recently been party to a number of discussions about the future of local government services in the recession and the ensuing lengthy 'pay back' period of public sector borrowing. I have been shocked at how far some have gone to suggest measures which will impact particularly badly on women. Women are 75% of the local government workforce and many are engaged in jobs which are vital to social cohesion and community well-being - those jobs which involve relationship-building. Among suggestions made by a range of members and officers have been: * (Further) rationing of social care or ending of all but the most acute domicialiary support * Most care to be provided by 'families' * Social insurance for care * Cessation - or reduction - of many local government functions, including libraries * And end to redistribution vis the local government settlement and targetting of resources on major 'wealth creating' areas of the UK ie. London and South east, and of course..... * Further reduction of jobs through rationalisation of 'back office' services It has a hollow ring when Government talsk about creating jobs in the public sector - while around 11,000 have been made redundant from UK councils and many vacant posts deleted or frozen. Government/s need to remember that spending on local services generates wealth within local economies, many of which are dependent on local government employment to survive. I have recently been party to a number of discussions about the future of local government services in the recession and the ensuing lengthy ‘pay back’ period of public sector borrowing. I have been shocked at how far some have gone to suggest measures which will impact particularly badly on women. Women are 75% of the local government workforce and many are engaged in jobs which are vital to social cohesion and community well-being – those jobs which involve relationship-building.

Among suggestions made by a range of members and officers have been:
* (Further) rationing of social care or ending of all but the most acute domicialiary support
* Most care to be provided by ‘families’
* Social insurance for care
* Cessation – or reduction – of many local government functions, including libraries
* And end to redistribution vis the local government settlement and targetting of resources on major ‘wealth creating’ areas of the UK ie. London and South east, and of course…..
* Further reduction of jobs through rationalisation of ‘back office’ services

It has a hollow ring when Government talsk about creating jobs in the public sector – while around 11,000 have been made redundant from UK councils and many vacant posts deleted or frozen.

Government/s need to remember that spending on local services generates wealth within local economies, many of which are dependent on local government employment to survive.

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