British women kept ‘at kitchen sink’

Press, 11 June 1982, Page 11

British women kept ‘at kitchen sink’

NZPA London The number of married working women in Britain is declining. A recent survey by the Department of Emplovment shows that since 1977 the number of married women who work has declined after an upsurge in the early 19705. Although the department offers no explanation for this decline, an article in “The Times" said recently that almost any married woman, who had contemplated returning to work, could volunteer an answer. "The Times" said the combined effect of taxation, national insurance contributions, travel and incidental expenses made full-time work distinctly unattractive, particularly if the women have children. A big deterrent had been the massively increased cost of travel in Britain, but perhaps more important was a change in the rules which previously allowed married women to pay a special discounted “married woman's” rate of national insurance contribution. In 1978 the rules were altered so that any woman who has not worked for two years now has to pay fulrate contributions if she returns to work. Couple this, said “The Times,” with the actual increase in national insurance contribution rates from 6.5

per cent of earnings in 1978 to the current level of 8.75 per cent, and it was easy to see why married women were not keen to work again. Unless a woman could earn about $NZ23,460 a year it was hardly worth bothering. While this ignores the longterm career prospects and social benefits of working, the figures are certainly not encouraging. It is estimated that a woman earning about 5NZ18.630 a year would receive only slightly more than SNZ7O3B after tax, insurance contributions, childminding and other expenses. This net gain could be even less if the woman’s earnings push her husband into a higher tax bracket. The above figures were assuming a modest 9NZI6 in travel expenses, said "The Times.” The alternative, of course, is part-time work which the British government allows up to a level of about SNZ34SO without tax or insurance liability, equivalent to about SNZ69 a week. Describing this as "pin money” "The Times” said tax relief on child care costs would' go a long way to improving the situation, but with a Government dedicated to keeping women at the kitchen sink this was nothing more than wishful thinking.