BABY LEAVE 'FOR GRANS'.Byline: By BOB ROBERTS, Political Editor GRANDPARENTS could be given the right to take "granny Granny cantankerous matriarch of the Clampett family. [TV: “The Beverly Hillbillies” in Terrace, I, 93–94] See : Irascibility leave" from work under radical plans published today. A Government report says there is growing demand to support grandparents who help out with childcare. That could include the right to take two weeks off work when a grandchild is born. Children's Minister Beverley Hughes is launching the proposals in the House of Commons House of Commons: see Parliament. today. They could possibly become Labour pledges for the next election. The Rethinking Family Life report said people become grandparents at an average age of 49, while still working. They look after grandchildren in a quarter of families every week, providing childcare worth pounds 3.9billion. A YouGov poll of 2,270 adults found nearly half of parents - 44 per cent - said they were relying more on their own parents to look after children because of the credit crunch Credit Crunch An economic condition whereby investment capital is difficult to obtain. Banks and investors become weary of lending funds to corporations thereby driving up the price of debt products for borrowers. . Nearly two-thirds - 61 per cent - said grandparents should get state payment for providing childcare. Sam Smethers, of Grandparents Plus, said: "It's time to recognise the contribution grandparents make." Ms Hughes said: "We are committed to doing more to support childcare providers, including grandparents." CAPTION(S): SUPPORT Hughes |
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