WOMEN & AUSTERITY

Friday 19th July 2013 

MY childhood was dominated by the love and influence of two women: my mum and my gran.

Two strong Welsh females who, like so many Welsh mams, led our family. Newport East Labour MP Jessica Morden highlighted in the Commons this week the disproportionate impact of the UK Government’s austerity policies are having on Welsh women.

In Wales two thirds of the people who work in the public sector are women.

The relentless ideological drive by the Tories and the Liberal Democrats to shrink the public sector inevitably means in Wales women are those hit the hardest.

Add to this the pay gap that still exists between men and women. Freezing pay has resulted in the current full-time pay gap standing at a staggering 14.9%.

Both my mum and gran have passed on but what would they make of a situation in 2013 where decades after women’s liberation Welsh women are the worst affected by the policies of a cabinet of millionaires in Downing Street?

As a councillor serving my home city it is distressing to be voting through decisions that necessitate cuts to what Cardiff council can provide.

These invariably mean great uncertainty and worry for the dedicated public servants who are the council’s employees.

In Wales most part-time jobs are undertaken by women to make ends meet and to fit around child care arrangements.

Twenty-seven per cent of these part-time jobs are in the public sector and 85% of those are women.

In Cardiff the Labour Party recently selected two talented female candidates to stand in the 2015 General Election: Mari Williams in Cardiff North and Jo Stevens in Cardiff Central. Both are talented, progressive individuals who will ensure that the Labour Party will always stand up for Welsh women.

Wales is stronger when the talent and ability of all our citizens is allowed to flourish. My mum and my gran, like so many Welsh women, act as an inspiration to us all.

Councillor Keith Jones

Cardiff Labour Group Secretary

The above letter was published in the South Wales Echo & The Western Mail on 19th July 2013.