After 14 years of campaigning, we were pleased to hear the Chancellor state publicly that the Child Benefit Tax Charge was unfair to families particularly where one parent stays at home to care. 

The fact that the principle of household taxation was publicly acknowledged means there is a public recognition that the principle can be changed to make life fairer for families. 

Harriet Baldwin MP, Chair Treasury Select Committee, said on Woman’s Hour this week that her number one recommendation to the Chancellor for the Spring Budget would be to change the Child Benefit system.  This is a massive turnaround and exciting for MAHM who via Miriam Cates MP and in cooperation with Tax & the Family sent briefing papers to Harriet.

The Chancellor has listened to the cry of childcare but is he prepared for the cry of separation? Mr Hunt has put another nail in the coffin for mothers wanting to make the choice to stay home to care. This attack on our freedom is justified in the name of productivity. ‘Getting mothers into paid work will boost the economy and growth’. But it is based on the insulting myth that mothers nurturing babies and toddlers are doing nothing at home; they are ‘inactive economic units’.

The Chancellor in his Spring Statement said that the number one priority in the Conservatives desire for tax reform is to reduce taxes for ‘hard-working families’. The tax system does not recognise the ‘family’, writes our Chair, Anne Fennell. All tax cuts are for ‘hardworking individuals’. Focused tax cuts should be on HOUSEHOLD incomes with children.

Booking for our annual conference is now open!

For too long mothers have doubted their self worth in making the choice to stay at home to raise their children. Find out why the role is so important especially now. Discover why mothers are forced to work sooner than is best either for themselves or their children.

MAHM’s contribution to the Treasury Select Committee’s ‘Tax after Coronavirus’ inquiry presented evidence to address the question: ‘Which areas of the tax system are most in need of reform?’

We focused specifically on income tax emphasising the pressing need for a fairer family taxation system. Our system of independent taxation is not fit for purpose for taxing families; it causes unfairness, injustice and even harm.

As the political parties release their manifestos and promises in an attempt to win your vote, we remind you of what matters for many mothers across the United Kingdom.