Women's Budget Group

03/09/2026

We're heading to the Labour and Green party conferences to put women's economic inequality at the heart of the political debate.

Join us at the Labour party conference in Liverpool for conversations on reforming parental leave and pay, and closing the inequalities that leave women with less pension wealth in retirement.

At Green party conference in Brighton, we'll explore how feminist approaches can help build a greener, more caring and climate-resilient economy.

Will you be there? Find details of all three events and how to join us:

https://www.wbg.org.uk/events/

02/09/2026

The UK’s parental leave system is one of the least generous in Europe. For too long, families have been let down by an outdated system.

That’s why we’re proud to support a collective call for a stronger, more inclusive system as part of the UK Government’s Parental Leave Review.

This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform statutory parental leave and pay so that it works for all families – supporting gender equality, improving the health and wellbeing of parents and children, and ensuring that having a baby or taking on caring responsibilities does not push families into financial insecurity.

A fair system must reflect the diversity of modern families, including single parents, Black and Brown parents, kinship carers, adoptive parents, parents of disabled children, and parents facing serious illness. No family should be excluded from adequate leave or pay because of their circumstances or employment status.

We’re calling for

👉 stronger maternity and adoption leave and pay
👉 six weeks’ paid leave for fathers and second parents
👉 equal support for self-employed parents and
👉 parental leave and pay from day one.

These reforms may need to be phased in – but the Government must make a clear political commitment to delivering them all.

27/08/2026

Specialist, community-based support can make a vital difference to migrant women facing poverty, homelessness, domestic abuse and insecure immigration status – helping them access the support they need before problems escalate into crisis.

This week, we’re publishing two new reports with the Women in Hackney Network (WiHN) and Women in Newham Network (Winn), supported by Smallwood Trust.

Co-produced with grassroots organisations, the research brings together lived experience and frontline expertise. It shows how specialist women’s organisations reach women who may otherwise struggle to access help, while reducing pressure on crisis services.

The reports call for greater investment in preventative, community-based services and more sustainable funding. They also recommend national reforms, including abolishing No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF), improving access to specialist immigration advice and creating fairer routes to settlement.

Read the Women in Hackney report: https://www.wbg.org.uk/publication/building-sanctuary/

Read the Women in Newham report: https://www.wbg.org.uk/publication/compassion-saves-you-cash/

25/08/2026

We often talk about National Insurance Contributions (NICs) as if it’s simply another tax. But that misunderstanding misses something important.

NICs are linked to contributory entitlements. We contribute and, when paid employment is interrupted — through unemployment, for example — or ends at retirement, have access to the State Pension, Jobseeker’s Allowance or Employment and Support Allowance.

Importantly for women, these benefits are based on individual rather than family or household entitlement.

National Insurance is therefore fundamentally about solidarity and mutual responsibility: it pools risks across society, meaning we contribute today knowing that the system is there for us - or others - when it’s needed.

If we treat NICs purely as another source of government revenue, we risk making changes for short-term policy or political reasons without considering the longer-term purpose of the system.

So how can we improve transparency about NI’s purpose - and understanding of the different roles of NICs and taxation?

Read our latest blog from Dr Marilyn Howard:

Dr Marilyn Howard explains why the distinction between tax and NICs matters for future reforms to improve governance.

12/08/2026

Housing is about more than having a roof over our heads. Our homes are also where much of the unpaid care takes place.

Women spend an average of 206 minutes a day on unpaid care and housework, compared with 136 minutes for men.

That means housing design matters for gender equality.

Accessible and adaptable homes, alongside childcare, public transport, green spaces and community facilities, can make everyday caring responsibilities easier.

Our new briefing explores why housing policy must recognise care – and how we can create affordable, sustainable homes and communities that work better for everyone.

Learn more 👇

https://www.wbg.org.uk/publication/women-and-the-uk-housing-crisis/

11/08/2026

The UK is facing a housing crisis – but its impacts are not felt equally. Women are more likely to experience housing insecurity and face greater barriers to finding secure, affordable housing.

Women’s lower average incomes and wealth mean housing costs take up more of their earnings, while women are also more likely to rely on social housing, housing support and temporary accommodation.

Our new briefing looks at how gender inequality shapes people’s experiences across the housing system – from renting and home ownership to homelessness and housing quality – and what needs to change.

https://www.wbg.org.uk/publication/women-and-the-uk-housing-crisis/

28/07/2026

Want to stay up to date with our latest research, policy analysis and events?

Our newsletter brings you the latest on women's economic equality, alongside new publications, upcoming events and opportunities to get involved in our work.

Join us creating a fairer economy for women. 💜

https://www.wbg.org.uk/newsletters/

16/07/2026

Andy Burnham’s first 100 days will help shape the government’s priorities for years to come. We want to see women’s economic equality at the heart of those decisions from day one.

That means investing in social care, making sure devolution works for women, and embedding gender equality into economic policymaking. Success shouldn’t be measured by GDP alone, but by whether it improves women’s lives.

Closing the gender pay, earnings and pensions gaps isn’t just about fairness—it’s essential to building a fairer economy that works for everyone.

What would you like to see prioritised in the government’s first 100 days?

PublicPolicy AndyBurnham LabourPolitics

13/07/2026

In her recent speech, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson described early education and childcare as social infrastructure. We agree.

High-quality early education and childcare gives children the best start in life, enables parents—especially women—to work, and supports a stronger economy.

But the current system leaves too many families behind. Many parents need childcare to get a job, but need a job to qualify for funded childcare.

We believe childcare should be a universal, free public service, with sustainable funding so every child gets the best start in life.

30/06/2026

Responding to Andy Burnham's speech yesterday, Dr Daniella Jenkins, our Executive Director, said:

"Andy Burnham has recognised something we have long argued: markets alone have not delivered the secure, affordable homes or thriving local economies people need. Meeting these challenges will require an active state and long-term public investment.

"As more powers are devolved from Westminster to regions and local areas, women must have a voice in shaping the policies that affect their lives.

"Housing, transport, care, employment and public services do not affect everyone in the same way – and they don't affect all women in the same way either. Women's experiences of these systems are shaped by persistent structural inequalities, from unpaid care to lower pay and insecure work. These inequalities also intersect with other characteristics, including race, disability, age and sexual orientation.

"Devolution is an opportunity to build fairer local economies. But that will only happen if gender equality is built into decision-making from the outset, rather than treated as an afterthought."

Let us know what you think in the comments below 👇