LONDON (AP) — Protesters dressed in Halloween costumes marched in cities across Britain on Saturday to demand more affordable childcare.
The Mummy March has been called to demand reform of UK rules on child care, parental leave and flexible working. Organizers say many parents, mostly mothers, are preventing them from returning to work.
Demonstrations were held in cities such as Manchester, Cardiff, Glasgow and Belfast. Hundreds of demonstrators marched from London’s Trafalgar Square to the Houses of Parliament, including families with children in bandages, vampire costumes and witch hats.
Among the placards and banners were posters such as, “Child-rearing is not a side job” and “If it’s cheaper to stay at home than to work, the system will run in a mess.”
The UK has one of the highest childcare costs among the 38 developed countries of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
“We are facing a cost of living crisis and the economy is not growing. We cannot solve any of these challenges without investing in child care,” said the opposition Labor Party who attended a march in London. Rep. Stella Creesey said.
“For me, investing in childcare pays off, because if more women can work, more families can choose to work for them,” she said. .
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