Letter: Women and a decent wage

From Ms C. Gilligan

Sir: Diane Coyle has got it wrong when she says that women will bear the true cost of the minimum wage because, she claims, it would put up the cost of childcare. It would not. Childminders are paid by the hour. Suppose they are currently charging pounds 2 per hour per child, even if the minimum wage was introduced, they could still charge pounds 2 per hour per child. Most childminders have more than one child in their care at any one time and therefore are already earning more than the proposed minimum wage.

The minimum wage would not force women back into the home, it would recognise the contribution women make to the British economy and enable them to earn a decent, living wage.

Yours faithfully,

C. Gilligan

Sheffield

21 September