LIFE CHANCES BEFORE BIRTH
Helen is calling on the Government to increase Income Support levels for pregnant mothers to improve the life chances of children from poor families in County Durham. You can read her speech here.
New research from the Fabian Society has revealed the links between social class, low birth weight and poor life chances. Helen is arguing that tackling inequality requires Labour to develop a new agenda for helping children before they are even born.
Speaking after a Fabians event in the House of Commons that considered the issue, Helen said:
“Low birth weight babies are 40 times more likely to die in their first year and they are more likely to have a low IQ and learning disabilities. Their future life chances in terms of education, earnings and jobs are measurably worse.
“The risk factors for low birth weight are smoking and poor nutrition. We need to do more to help those most at risk - lone mothers, teenage mothers and those in the lowest income groups.”
“This means education. For example, Wear Valley had the highest rate of teenage pregnancy in West Europe. This is now down by 50 per cent because of interventions across the board – from GPs, health centres, pharmacies and also in schools.”
“It also means making sure pregnant mothers have enough money. It is shocking to learn that a 20 year old pregnant woman on Income Support lives off £44 per week. We need to look at raising Income Support levels for pregnant women under 25 and paying child benefit during pregnancy.”
Helen has now written to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, John Hutton, to press the case for higher benefit payments for pregnant mothers.
Filed under: Uncategorized on July 26th, 2006
