Tulip Siddiq MP Labour MP for Hampstead and Highgate
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I was invited to speak to the journalist Katy Balls on her podcast Women With Balls about some of the barriers that women unfortunately continue to face in the workplace.
I spoke about my campaign to make flexible working a right for all employees, which I am pleased has seen some successes in recent months, with the Government committing to extend the right to request flexibility. I also highlighted the shameful state of our childcare system, which is also holding women back. We have the most expensive childcare costs in Europe, and a shocking 40% of women say they have had to work fewer hours than they would like because of these costs.
As I said on the show, for change to happen the Government needs to partner with businesses and deliver the legislation needed to bring about a better workplace culture that works for women and delivers economic benefits for us all. Research by McKinsey has shown that around £150 billion would be added to the UK economy by 2030 if women were able to achieve their full potential at work, which can only be brought about with action from the Government.