DAVID Cameron faced criticism from business leaders and parenting groups last night for suggesting parents could take their children to work during next week's public sector strike.
The Prime Minister told MPs firms should if possible allow youngsters in the workplace during Wednesday’s planned industrial action, which will include teachers, civil servants and childcare workers. Downing Street itself is considering the option.
His comments came in response to a question by Tory MP Louise Mensch at Prime Minister’s Questions. She asked if he thought people should take their children to work with them to minimise disruption to their day.
Mr Cameron replied: “She makes an important point that where it is safe to help people bring their children to work then organisations should do so.”
Later, a No 10 spokesman explained: “It should only happen where it is appropriate. If employers are able to offer some flexibility and enable their employees to come to work and bring their children, then that’s a good thing.”
The Federation of Small Businesses Scotland dismissed the suggestion as unrealistic.
A spokesman said: “Naturally, many businesses will be putting systems and processes in place to ensure that, if teachers and other childcare workers do go on strike, they are prepared and will be able to function.
“However, for many businesses the suggestion employees should bring their children to work with them simply is not practical.”
Eileen Prior, executive director of the Scottish Parent Teacher Council, said: “I can imagine that’s not going to be a popular option. I don’t think many parents or children would enjoy that.
“It’s a bizarre suggestion, not very practical at all. There may be some types of jobs that could accommodate that but for many people, such as those who work in a supermarket or a factory, it’s absolutely not an option.”
She added: “Most people will have to look to family and friends to cover for them or they’ll have to take a day off work.”
During PMQs, Mr Cameron appealed over the heads of trade union leaders to their members, urging them not to strike next week and he indicated he might be willing to make it harder for people to take industrial action.
Branding the planned strike as “the height of irresponsibility”, the Prime Minister described the UK Government’s offer on public sector pensions as “an extremely reasonable deal”.
Mr Cameron sought to goad Labour leader Ed Miliband, challenging him to condemn the industrial action while pointing out that since he took over as Labour leader the proportion of the party’s funding from trade unions had risen from 56% to 86%.
He was also keen to point out how the mass strike was being organised on the basis of low turnouts.
During heated exchanges, he told MPs: “Just one quarter of Unison members voted to strike, just 23% of those balloted at Unite voted in favour. I am not surprised Labour members want to shout me down. We know why they won’t condemn the strikes because we have got the figures today from where they get the money from.”
Meantime, Mr Cameron hinted that next week’s autumn statement by Chancellor George Osborne may see some help for beleaguered motorists with the possibility of stopping the planned 3p-a-litre tax hike due in January.
l Glasgow’s Subway will close next Wednesday during the nationwide strike, it was confirmed yesterday.
Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT), which operates the Subway, said strike action by the Unite union would mean it did not have enough staff to run services.
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