Covid: Support 'repeatedly skewed towards men', say MPs

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Covid: Support 'repeatedly skewed towards men', say MPs



Government policies have "repeatedly skewed towards men", a committee of MPs
has said in a report on the impact of coronavirus on men and women.

Committee chair Caroline Nokes said the government had "repeatedly failed to consider"
the labour market and caring inequalities faced by women.

The report makes 20 recommendations including making it easier for staff to get flexible
working arrangements.

The government said it had spent over 瞿200bn on job support schemes.

"Throughout the pandemic this government has done whatever it takes to protect lives
and livelihoods, and will continue to do so," a spokesperson said.

Sharon Luca from Warwickshire works from home, running a clothing business and
a charity raising money to help parents of stillborn children.

Her husband also works full time and so cannot help with homeschooling.

Because she is helping her son do school work, Sharon says she has "barely had
anytime to focus on my business or the charity".

This has meant losing "a big chunk" of her earnings she says, adding: "My income is
my only independence."

Sharon thinks women are bearing the brunt of homeschooling.

"I know a lot of mums who work from home or have small businesses like myself and
all of them are saying that they've been affected by homeschooling.

"They really don't have the time now to put in the energy to earn a living from their
small business - homeschooling overtook everything."

More stories can be read here. : SLOT