‘Juggling act’ problems for Yorkshire parents

Nov 24 2008 by Hazel Ettienne, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

PARENTS in Yorkshire are struggling to juggle the demands of bringing up young children and working, says a report.

What Parents Want, published by parenting club Bounty, shows that 96% of parents in the region are prevented from returning to work because of childcare costs.

Also, 87% feel the current two weeks statutory paternity leave is too short.

The study looked at key issues facing today’s new parents. It revealed that:

Three-quarters feel the Government needs to improve state run childcare

Some 62% of parents feel there is too much pressure on mothers to cut short their maternity leave and return to work

Some 89% of parents feel that AandE wards need specialist services to ensure young children are seen more quickly

Some 40% of parents do not have adequate access to an out-of-hours GP service

Three-quarters of parents do not believe that any political party has policies to help parents of young children

The survey was conducted online among 2,000 parents and two focus groups.

Bounty is calling for:

Paternity leave to be extended to a month and paternity pay increased to £214 from £117.18

New family clinics at weekends and evenings at GP surgeries

A financial package for families with young children that includes an early years top-up in child benefit, extending childcare tax credit and council tax discount for families.

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