Government claims pregnancies aimed at securing housing

Title

Government claims pregnancies aimed at securing housing

Genre

News report; Interview

TX Date

9 Nov 1993

Year of production

1993

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Duration

00:02:50

Description

Report on a leaked Government document which says benefit payments could be cut. Social Security Minister, Nicholas Scott says the issue needs to be dealt with due to a rise in single-parent families. Mary Honeyball of the Gingerbread Trust argues that benefits cannot be cut as they are already leaving people in poverty. Home Secretary, Michael Howard defends his statement that more women are having babies to move to the front of the housing queue. Shadow Social Security Secretary, Donald Dewar says the Government is wrong, and Labour MP, Hilary Armstrong calls for cheaper childcare so that single mothers can return to work. Paul Rowley reports.

Contributors

Paul Rowley; Michael Howard; Donald Dewar; Nicholas Scott; Mary Honeyball; Hilary Armstrong

Keywords

Government; Social security; Social problems; Housing; Conservative Party; Family disorganization; Pregnancy; Council housing; Women; Adolescents; Single mothers; One parent families

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