Boris Johnson wants to ‘Unleash Britain’s Potential’, but can any of the major political parties unleash yours?

With only a week to go until the polling stations open, it’s easy to think this election is a case of ‘Brexit, Brexit, Brexit’, but delve deeply into the manifestos and you’ll find there are many promises designed to help us, the working parents.

It’s being billed as the vote of a lifetime, and when you have children you shoulder an extra responsibility of making this decision on their behalf. From the NHS and schools to tax rates and energy costs: there’s so much to consider.

One thing that has pleased me is the focus given to flexible working. We know that the restrictive 9-5, office-based working hours are creating barriers for Mums and Dads at work as well as those returning from illness or injury. So, it’s good to know businesses will be encouraged to change this by those at the very top.

I’ve sifted through the manifestos for each of the three main parties, and from the many promises, I’ve highlighted the few that will be most relevant in terms of your career. So, have a read through the summaries below and let me know which ones are the most important to you.

Of course, once the campaign trails are over and the ballot papers counted, it’s vital we hold our MP’s to account and make sure they deliver on their promises. They have highlighted several issues that working parents need support on, and they must deliver.

Conservatives:

Boris Johnson opens the manifesto by reminding us that, under their government, employment has reached an all-time high. But there are some specific policies designed to help families that are well worth being aware of.

The Conservatives say they will:

Consult on making flexible working the ‘default’ unless employers have good reason not to offer it.
Set up a £1 billion fund to create more high quality, affordable childcare including before and after school and during the school holidays.
Give parents extended leave for neonatal care and look at making it easier for fathers to take paternity leave.
Raise the Living Wage to £10.50 by 2024 and widen it to include everyone over 21.
Not raise income tax, National Insurance or VAT, and will make the first £12,500 that we earn completely free of tax.
For those of us in Yorkshire, the Northern Powerhouse Rail between Leeds and Manchester will be significant too.

Labour:

Jeremy Corbyn’s plan is to improve many areas of industry and create more jobs through this investment, including 1 million jobs in the climate sector. Importantly, for those of us based in Yorkshire, they’ve promised to invest in regions across the UK.

Labour say they will:

Require all large employers to provide flexible working hours from the first day of employment.
Provide all 2, 3 and 4-year olds with 30 hours per week of free preschool education and access to additional hours at affordable, subsidised rates.
Extend statutory maternity pay from 9 to 12 months, double paternity leave from 2 to 4 weeks and increase statutory paternity pay.
Strengthen protections for pregnant women, including banning their dismissal, and require employers to devise and implement plans to eradicate the gender pay gap.
Immediately introduce a Real Living Wage of £10 for all workers aged 16 and over.

Liberal Democrats:

Jo Swinson’s ‘Plan for Britain’s future’ proposes, arguably, the most significant changes for working families with their promises to improve childcare and, as a result, they have received the support of a number of parent-focused lobbying bodies. As well as this, the wider manifesto has a huge focus on investing in education.

The Liberal Democrats will:

Make flexible working available to all from day one in the job, with employers required to advertise jobs accordingly (unless there are significant reasons why not)
Offer free, high-quality childcare children aged between 9 and 24 months where their parents or guardians are in work, and for every child aged 2 to 4.
Hold a review to consult on how to set a genuine Living Wage across all sectors
Introduce new Skills Wallets for every adult in England, giving them £10,000 to spend on education and training throughout their lives

So there you have it, now all you have to do is make a decision and get out there and vote.