LABOUR’S women MPs want taxpayers to fund childcare, children’s rail travel and “two buggies” so potential female candidates are not put off entering parliament.

The parliamentary Labour party women’s committee, chaired by Barbara Follett, a junior local government minister, argues that living in two homes is so disruptive to family life and so expensive that MPs with children should be entitled to more help.

Currently, just 125 out of 643 MPs are women and the group is concerned that efforts to increase the number will be hampered if assistance is not given to members — whether male or female — who have children.

The demands will bring criticism that the MPs are trying to gain perks that other working women have to meet from their own salaries.

The group has argued for the increased support in a submission to Sir Ian Kennedy, who chairs the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority. Kennedy has been charged with overhauling expenses and allowances in the wake of last year’s scandals… Continue reading