Growth in Every Postcode Must Mean Opportunity for Every Woman
The government’s growth agenda cannot succeed without women.
As Andy Burnham pursues a change in direction and looks to deliver economic growth in every region, this year’s Autumn Budget provides an opportunity to ensure women are not only included in that vision but placed at its centre.
From childcare and employment to local services and community investment, the decisions announced by the Chancellor will have a direct impact on women’s economic security, opportunities and quality of life.
Here’s what we hope to see in this week’s announcement:
Devolution That Delivers For Women
We recognise the opportunities that devolution can create for local areas. By enabling decisions to be made closer to communities, devolution has the potential to support services that better reflect the realities of people’s lives.
As women are more likely to rely on services such as childcare, social care, healthcare and wider community support, greater local decision-making could help ensure these services are designed and delivered more effectively.
However, devolved funding should be accompanied by a clear commitment to women’s economic participation, safety and access to opportunity. To ensure the benefits of devolution are shared across communities, women must have equal opportunities to participate and progress.
Investment Into The Services Women Rely On
Public spending decisions will be just as important as any tax announcements in this year’s Budget.
We’re keen to see investment in public services and urge the government to provide longer-term funding settlements for the voluntary sector, including domestic abuse services, community organisations and family support programmes.
This echoes calls from Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips, who has argued that essential services delivered by the voluntary sector should have sustainable funding settlements that give local commissioners the confidence to commit year after year.
For many women, economic security is about more than income. Devolution must be matched by long-term investment in the local services that enable women to work, care for their families and participate fully in society.
Work That Pays With Fixed Childcare Barriers
Access to affordable, reliable childcare remains one of the biggest barriers preventing women from fully participating in the workforce.
One area where the Chancellor is being urged to act is the £100,000 childcare cliff edge, which can leave some families worse off overall when a parent earns above the threshold.
However, this is part of a broader challenge. Women across the UK continue to face difficult decisions about work because of childcare costs, availability and flexibility.
Too often, women, including many single mothers, are forced to weigh career opportunities against the cost of childcare and the loss of support they rely on. No woman, regardless of her income, should be discouraged from progressing at work or returning to employment because childcare no longer makes financial sense.
Addressing these barriers would not only support families but also strengthen workforce participation and economic growth.
Reducing the Pension Gap
No single Budget can address every challenge facing women and girls, and we recognise that difficult choices must be made. However, alongside our immediate priorities of childcare, local investment and public services, the persistent gender pensions gap must not be overlooked.
The gender pensions gap continues to leave many women entering retirement with significantly lower pension savings than men. Therefore, we’d like any pension reforms to be considered through a gender equality lens to ensure they support fair outcomes for women in later life.
At SIGBI, we believe that lasting economic growth is only possible when everyone has the opportunity to reach their full potential.
As the Chancellor sets out the government’s plans, we hope to see continued investment in the areas that matter most to women and their communities. Putting women at the heart of these decisions will help ensure the benefits of growth are shared more widely and make the most difference.
As a charity, we remain committed to championing practical solutions that improve the lives of women and girls, both locally and globally. To learn more about our work and how you can help drive positive change in your community, visit: https://sigbi.org/