Financial News
- 13 February 2012, 9:27
Women Could Get Tax Breaks For Cleaners
Prime Minister David Cameron has been criticised by Labour for suggesting he might look at a scheme offering tax breaks to working women who employ domestic staff.
The idea, from Sweden, was discussed at the Nordic-Baltic summit in Stockholm.
Mr Cameron said that he was there to listen to ideas and this was one of the ideas he might be interested in.
The proposed Swedish plan is part of a drive to encourage women to be more ambitious at work, and to achieve senior positions in business and other professions.
Although more than half of university graduates are women, many of the boardrooms in Britain and throughout Europe remain male dominated.
Mr Cameron challenged FTSE 100 companies to have 25% of their senior management roles to women by 2015.
In Stockholm, he said he has not ruled out quotas of the type they have in Denmark and Iceland, where 40% of board members in publicly listed companies must be women, but he wants the move to be business-led.
There are already signs of success; a year ago 21 of those FTSE 100 companies were run by boards made up entirely of men, today that figure has dropped to 10.
Labour MP Jessica Morden said: "Suggesting tax breaks for people who can afford domestic workers at the same time as cutting tax credits demonstrates how out of touch David Cameron is about the pressures facing women in this country."
what do you think?
Lee Bennett
another plan to help the rich get richer .Yet this idiot is in the paper qoted as saying " that he would back an increase in the retirement age in line with life expectancy" 73 years old have been put about ! Some might never even reach that age .I know we are living longer and the pension pot is not covering it.So instead of offering tax breaks to wealthy people who are employing domestics why does he not offer us as tax incentive scheme so we can top up the pension fund so the working man can retire at a sensible age.All my cash is going on bills and i would love to keep adding to my post office one.sky high bills and low wage rises are stopping me.Do something about it governments.Labour or Tory.
Mike King
Eactly! Well said. Why don't you write to the office oif the Prime Minister as I and others have done when you feel this strongly? Enough wealthy people buy the Cameron ear - so why not have your say. We need more of you to stand up and speak out against wasting public money on ideological aims. My wife worked happily - not as a domestic but in a responsible postion. she loved every minute - still meets with other former employees regularly and sahe also brought up a family and efficiently ran our home (still is) and did most of the cooking amd still does. While I worked long hours, and did my share of DIY and looking after and encouraging our children. Happy way to live!
Andrew Fisher
"Why does he not offer us a tax incentive scheme?" Because that wouldn't give him enough money, even though he already has more than enough.
Stephen Deal
More idiotic mutterings from Camoron.
Russell Beaumont
Cameron is doing his utmost to marginalise sections of our society. Roll on next election when he realises theres no votes in it
Mike King
Sorry - but I am against positive discrimination of any kind! That is a slippery slope to deliberately undermining others legitimate human rights. Of course male and females are different and think differently (for example I couldn't care less about 'soaps'. celebrity gossip, shoes or handbags!) but I do admire women's ability to be Mothers, lovers, and multi-tasking super beings. I am convinced by many current examples - that if women want to succeed at anything badly enough - they are just as capable as men to do so. Please - no more state intervention at all our expense in forcing any particlar ideology upon us! All it does is create bigger wedges between peoples.
Charles Rickards
This is nothing more than sound bites! As if tax breaks are going to increase the number of those likely to benefit from this kind of employment. Those who can afford a cleaner have one. If this government are serious about moving our economy forward, they need to make it easy for employers to employ by cutting the red tape and reducing the onerous responsibilities employers have forced on them by rules created by those who do not have to follow them. In addition, a transferrable nil band income tax allowance, would enable many who currently work to top up family income, to stop and let others in need of a job work take those jobs.
Sharon Houghton
Wow nice Mr Cameron.. but who are these people. That can afford to employ cleaners how the other half live, just looking out for your rich pals Mr C
sociogirl
What a load of tosh. I stay at home and clean my own house, look after my own kids rather than go out to work to pay to pay for child care and cleaners. Why should those who don't get money. It's their choice whether they work or stay at home. It's what women have fought so much for.
John Henderson
What next - tax breaks for having a dog-walker, tax breaks for having a window cleaner, tax breaks for having a gardener etc etc. Where would it end. Where on earth does this man get his crazy ideas ?
Lee Bennett
well said
Lee Bennett
i expect that Camerloon himself has a cleaner so of course it will even benefit him as well as all his millionaire chummies. Sick.
sunshine
A sich answer from a very sick and envious mind. Just grow up
Lee Bennett
This comment has been removed for violations of our Terms and Conditions.
eastonandrea
I for one am alittle annoyed and offended by at this idea. I work ( yes it maybe only part time - for now ) look after my children, keep my house tidy and clean, cook, do the washing. Firstly it divides the classes even more. Secondly it's sexist, why for woman not men or would it start as a way to get more woman into higher positions at work but then they'd have to make it fair by running it across the board and include this tax break to all male professionals too. Plenty of female professionals work, they have child minders look after their children and already get "help" with that cost and maybe they should get their husbands to do his share around the house.
Mike McDonough
Lunacy..If they can afford to pay a cleaner then they do not need tax breaks..In any case most cleaners are paid cash in hand, for most it's a way to top up a meagre income or pension.
sunshine
Typical reaction from UK citizens to any idea that coes from overseas. Until thie country loses its arrogance and those people deseased by envy are silenced, this country is finished
eastonandrea
Sunshine, we are not arrogant or envious we are not slamming the idea of people hiring housekeepers, but why should they be given tax breaks. This is where the problem lies, If you can afford a cleaner or a childminder or both then go for it, it gives someone a job and that's great - but why should the average tax payer contribute to this. If you have the ability to get a top job, then you should be able to afford to pay for any help you need and not expect tax breaks.
Richard Maitland
Cameron challenges the FTSE 100 companies to have 25% of their senoir management roles to women by 2015. Can just the blokes rolling over for that. And I suppose the money for the tax break will be raised from the tax paid by the cleaners. Most of which are paid cash in hand and will inevitably end up the losers while their well off employers get on. Another tory idea on how to take from the poor and give to the rich.
eastonandrea
Yeah the sherriffs in town, where's Robin Hood when you need him!
Billy Morrison
cameron ! ! keep ur nose out u cant run a country never mind u trying to run a board room
Name witheld
This comment has been removed for violations of our Terms and Conditions.
ABritMum
Only the wealthy can afford the idea of a cleaner whilst they go out to work. What about the workers? He is not interested in them! Get Cameron out. He has long stopped representing the vast majority of this country...
David Wragg
5:54am on 10/2/2012
This won't work as the cleaners prefer cash in hand and no tax or national insurance, but any such scheme would have to provide the names and addresses of the cleaners. In any case, it is sexist - why can't men have tax breaks for cleaners?
stewgwyn
12:29pm on 10/2/2012
Exactly. Where will these proposed cleaners come from? From reputable organisations who carry out CRB checks and make appropriate deductions? I don't think so. It would not be worth their while working as a cleaner under these circumstances when what they want is money in the back pocket.
sociogirl
1:12pm on 10/2/2012
Because men wouldn't think to employ one and get the tax break.