Working mums should spend more time at home, says Ruth Kelly

13 April 2012

Working mothers should devote more time to their children, Labour's Minister for Women has said.

Mother of four Ruth Kelly - whose husband does most of the childcare chores when the family's nanny finishes for the day - said it is 'the family that matters'.

Her comments were seen as a break with Labour's traditional line of encouraging women to pursue their careers and its reluctance to support marriage.

Labour strategists have been alarmed by polls suggesting Labour is losing backing among working women. One revealed a six per cent swing to the Tories among female voters in just under a year. Today Miss Kelly is due to outline plans to create 'high status part-time jobs' for those who want to cut their hours.

She will say: "Just because a woman decides to trade down her hours, doesn't mean she should trade down her status."

She told the Observer that she wants to encourage a 'culture change' in the workplace that will value "women who feel that they want to spend more time at home with the family".

Miss Kelly said her advice to mothers was that they should get their priorities straight and "keep the focus on the family. Ultimately it's the family that matters."

Miss Kelly married Derek Gadd in 1996. He gave up a career as an archaeologist and took a local government job with regular hours so she could fulfil her political dreams.

First child Eamonn arrived 11 days after the 1997 General Election. Sinead followed in 1998, Roisin in 2000 and Niamh in 2003.

A nanny looks after the children during her working day and Mr Gadd takes charge on his return from work.

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