Readers of the Bulletin may recall that the UK women's rights group the Fawcett Society sought leave to judicially review the UK emergency budget over its failure to conduct an equality impact assessment in certain areas. Please click here to see previous PILA article. On 6 December the English High Court refused leave for judicial review on the basis that the matter was "unarguable - or academic". The Fawcett Society argued that the Office of Treasury failed to have "due regard" for the impact proposed cuts would have on women. Karen Monaghan QC for the Fawcett Society argued that the budget cuts made a "grossly disproportionate and devastating impact" on women. An estimated 70% of UK budget cuts will come from women's purses. The UK government acknowledged that it was regrettable that they had failed to carry out full equality assessments.
Ceri Goddard, Chief Executive of the Fawcett Society said the group would study the judgment and may appeal.
Please click here to see the Guardian article and click here to see the Fawcett Society press release.
The NWCI has criticised Budget 2011 as being "bad for women, bad for children and bad for the economy". Please click here to see their press release. They note that 60% of those on the minimum wage are women and that low paid women will be affected by cuts in child benefit.
Keep an eye on this week's HRI Blog at www.humanrights.ie for a post on women and Budget 2011!