Parents forced into work will not be pulled out of poverty by low-paid jobs and their children will suffer by their absenceby Bob Holman
Government minister Stephen Timms wants both parents in poor families off benefits and into work. If necessary, they should be compelled to do so. The proposal is enthusiastically supported by the right-wing TaxPayers' Alliance.
Timms does not explain where - with unemployment likely to rise to
three million in 2010 - they are going to find these jobs. Maeve
McGoldrick of Community Links in east London reports that regular jobs
are virtually non-existent for working class people. Those on offer
tend to have changeable hours, low wages and are short term.
On taking jobs, parents have most if not all their housing benefit (and other benefits) stopped. When they are laid off, it can take months to reconnect with the benefits system. Poor parents do not usually have savings so some families amass huge rent arrears which can lead to eviction.
Destitution
Forcing yet more parents into work, far from countering poverty, will make them destitute.
The crucial issue is that vulnerable children need the emotional stability and continuity which comes from the presence of a caring parent or parents. These are parents who get them up in the morning, serve breakfast, ensure they make it to school, greet them when they return and encourage them with their homework and play.
As Kate Green of the Child Poverty Action Group explains, parents pushed into low-paid employment that requires them to work a very substantial number of hours would have a potentially damaging effect on children's well-being and the quality of family life.
Rushed and exhausted
Parents rushing out in the morning and returning exhausted are not at their best. During the school holidays they may be searching around for alternative day care. At present, about 175,000 children care for a relative. With both parents at work, the number looking after siblings will increase.
The drive to make both parents work would take few out of poverty. Simultaneously, their absence from their children could harm them emotionally and socially and so increase the numbers taken into public care.
Sufficient income
What is required? An income sufficient to allow one parent - if they choose - to stay at home until the children reach secondary school age.
The proposal, by economist James Tobin, was for a tax on every transaction in the financial markets. It has been revived by Lord Turner, chair of Britain's Financial Services Authority. The tiny tax would raise billions of pounds which could be redistributed among poor families.
A much better idea than compelling parents to work.
Bob Holman is a writer and community activist
On taking jobs, parents have most if not all their housing benefit (and other benefits) stopped. When they are laid off, it can take months to reconnect with the benefits system. Poor parents do not usually have savings so some families amass huge rent arrears which can lead to eviction.
Destitution
Forcing yet more parents into work, far from countering poverty, will make them destitute.
The crucial issue is that vulnerable children need the emotional stability and continuity which comes from the presence of a caring parent or parents. These are parents who get them up in the morning, serve breakfast, ensure they make it to school, greet them when they return and encourage them with their homework and play.
As Kate Green of the Child Poverty Action Group explains, parents pushed into low-paid employment that requires them to work a very substantial number of hours would have a potentially damaging effect on children's well-being and the quality of family life.
Rushed and exhausted
Parents rushing out in the morning and returning exhausted are not at their best. During the school holidays they may be searching around for alternative day care. At present, about 175,000 children care for a relative. With both parents at work, the number looking after siblings will increase.
The drive to make both parents work would take few out of poverty. Simultaneously, their absence from their children could harm them emotionally and socially and so increase the numbers taken into public care.
Sufficient income
What is required? An income sufficient to allow one parent - if they choose - to stay at home until the children reach secondary school age.
The proposal, by economist James Tobin, was for a tax on every transaction in the financial markets. It has been revived by Lord Turner, chair of Britain's Financial Services Authority. The tiny tax would raise billions of pounds which could be redistributed among poor families.
A much better idea than compelling parents to work.
Bob Holman is a writer and community activist
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