Media Round-up: January 2020

The Midsomer, Radstock and District Journal
Local women’s projects miss out on much-needed funding
Becky Brooks, 14th January 2020

80% of women’s groups reported an increase in demand for women-only services, none reported a decrease in 2018 (Women’s Budget Group). 86% of the burden of austerity since 2010 has fallen on women (Women’s Budget Group). The income of 41% of women’s organisations reduced in 2018 (Women’s Budget Group).

Lancashire Post
Why women are missing out on good housing in Preston
Mike Hill, 15th January 2020

Dr Mary-Ann Stephenson, Director of the Women’s Budget Group think tank, said a lack of affordable housing may trap women in violent relationships, and mean they are more likely to end up homeless. She said: “We are facing a crisis in housing affordability in the UK – for women, the crisis is even more severe. “Although women and men tend to buy or rent their homes as a couple, women are likely to find themselves unable to afford a home of their own if that relationship breaks down. The Government urgently needs to invest in social housing. This would not only provide much needed affordable housing but would save billions of pounds in housing benefit.”

New York Times
With Brexit Looming, Experts Worry Women May Be Hit Hardest
Alisha Haridasani Gupta, 17th January 2020

…Both options, however, are expected to drag down the economy and, according to some experts, may end up having a disproportionately negative impact on women. “Women and men are differently situated in the economy,” said Mary-Ann Stephenson, director of the Women’s Budget Group, an independent research organization. In 2018, a majority of part-time or temporary workers in Britain were women, according to the group’s research, and women were more likely to be living in poverty than men.

Bustle
UK Bank Overdraft Fees Are Changing & Young Women Could Be Hit Hardest
Lauren Sharkey, 24th January 2020

Women could be slightly worse off too. 55% of over-indebted people in the UK are female, found a recent report by the Women’s Budget Group.

Cosmopolitan
Why Brexit may hit women harder than men
Cyan Turan, 31st January 2020

Women could also be negatively affected if the economy slows after Brexit. In 2018, a majority of part-time or temporary workers in Britain were women, according to the group’s research, and women were more likely to be living in poverty than men. Mary-Ann Stephenson, director of the Women’s Budget Group, also told the New York Times that in“those jobs tend to be the first to go,” when the economy takes a turn for the worse.