WBG Response to HM Treasury Budget 2005

Date Posted: Monday 18th April 2005

2005 Budget

Budget

You can read our full analysis of the 2005 Budget here.


 

Key WBG recommendations:

• The Government should incorporate a gender perspective within all policymaking, including the Budget, to ensure that policy is gender aware, furthers equality of opportunity and recognises equally the needs of both women and men.

• That gender budgeting techniques be adopted as part of the incorporation of gender mainstreaming across Government and apply to the formation, delivery and assessment of all policies and programmes.

• Gender budgeting, including the HMT / DTI pilot, should be promoted during and beyond the UK’s EU Presidency.

• More attention should be given to expenditure on services that are critical for the creation and maintenance of human capital. Investment in both physical and human capital should count as “investment “ for the Chancellor’s “golden rule”.

• A gender impact assessment of any regulatory reform proposals should be carried out and published.

• That the Government take steps towards challenging occupational segregation, such as encouraging women and men to take up employment in traditionally gendered fields.

• Gender-sensitive approaches should be used in developing all employment creation and support programs to ensure they meet the particular needs and circumstances of women, including women from Black and minority ethnic communities;

• The share of national income going to children should not be allowed to fall. Child benefit and all child-related payments should be increased in line with earnings.

• Rather than expanding the Child Trust Fund, funds should be redirected towards investment in early years provision and/or Child Benefit.

• All adult benefit rates should be reviewed to ensure that pregnant women and young mothers are able to support themselves at a level that does not impact negatively on the well-being of their current and future children.

• The value of the Basic State Pension should be increased and indexed to earnings at a level that ensures that a combination of paid and unpaid work throughout a working life would bring a retirement income above the poverty line.

 


You can read our full analysis of the 2005 Budget here.