Call to create more child care rights

FAMILIES should have a statutory right to child care from birth up to the age of 15, according to a committee of MSPs.

Holyrood's Equal Opportunities Committee said the lack of comprehensive child care is one of the key barriers to women achieving their potential in the workplace. PIcture: PA

Holyrood’s Equal Opportunities Committee said the lack of comprehensive child care is one of the key barriers to women achieving their potential in the workplace.

Other barriers to work are discrimination against people who have a poor credit rating, preconceptions about “girls’ jobs and boys’ jobs”, “suspicion” surrounding male child carers, workplace teasing, the financial costs of making workplaces more inclusive and resistance to flexible working from employers, the committee heard.

There are also fears that the new single police force could lead to further barriers for women.

Angela Wilson, of the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland’s Scottish women’s development forum, said: “Female police officers are under-represented in both specialist posts and promoted ranks.”

Launching the committee’s report on women and work, convener Mary Fee said: “Women are still swimming against the tide and we continue to address inequality between the sexes.”

The committee calls for a timetable for a statutory right to child care that includes children up to the age of 15 and disabled children.