TUC Call For Furlough Scheme to Open for Working Parents

In a new report from the Trades Union Congress (TUC), titled “Working mums: Paying the price,” the federation make a number of key recommendations – calling on the Government to provide the temporary right to furlough for workers who can prove that their existing childcare or other caring arrangements have been substantially altered because of coronavirus related restrictions, or those who are required to “shield,” due to being extremely clinically vulnerable.

The call originates from research detailed in their report, which shows how Covid-19 restrictions have had a significant impact on working mums’ wellbeing, income and job security, including how:

• 7 in 10 requests for furlough have been turned down for working mums
• Nine out of ten mums say their mental health has been negatively impacted experiencing levels of stress and anxiety
• One-quarter of mums (25 per cent) are worried they will lose their job, either through being singled out for redundancy, sacked or denied hours
• One-quarter of mums (25 per cent) are worried they will lose their job, either through being singled out for redundancy, sacked or denied hours

Read and download the full report from the TUC’s website.