The Green Party has accused the government of failing to see the bigger picture on the issue of declining living standards for women, with leader Natalie Bennett accusing the government of ‘pushing women into poverty’ through austerity measures.
The Resolution Foundation has found that 3.7 million women will see a pay increase as a result of the new ‘national living wage’ of £7.20 per hour announced earlier this year. However, the actual UK living wage is currently 65p higher at £7.85.
Natalie Bennett said: “The government’s policy does not go far enough. With the gender pay gap closing at its slowest rate ever in recent years, the women of Britain are well overdue a pay rise. However, With the actual living wage in the UK currently at £7.85 an hour, the 3.7 million women whose pay is raised to £7.20 will still not be earning enough to live on.
“Additionally, women under 25 - with the same living costs as their older sisters - won't benefit, and face the risk of losing their jobs when they reach the age of 25, and women on paltry apprentice wages - often for roles that don't equip them for decent-paying careers - continue to struggle to make ends meet.
“Furthermore, the government has failed to recognise the wider factors which are increasingly pushing women into poverty: the rising cost of childcare, cuts to tax credits and child benefit, and public sector job losses.
“If the government is really committed to improving living standards for women, it must recognise the disproportionate affect that austerity has on women and bring an end to its damaging and ideological cuts regime.”