Our economy and social infrastructure is built on the people who care for others. However, their work, paid and unpaid, is not valued and their vital role has been ignored when the government has devolved powers without resources.

Local commissioning of social care leaves care workers, the majority of whom are women, exposed through zero hours contracts. Reduced funding for children’s centres has made childcare less affordable and less available, driving women out of financial independence and into poverty.

It is time to break the cycle.

WE will:

Build up a system of universal, affordable childcare for all children from the age of 9 months. The first 15 hours per week will be free and then the rest payable at £1 per hour.

Read more about our childcare for all policy >>

Work towards a caring economy that values the work of those who care for others.

Fight for ring-fenced funding for the specialist services currently provided by the Women’s Hospital.

Prioritise integrated health care and social care to improve the lives of people across the region.

Make every job under the Liverpool Combined Authority flexible by default and open to job-sharing unless there is a good business reason not to; ensure that part-time jobs are paid at the same hourly rate as their full-time equivalents; and make gender-balanced senior appointments for all positions and boards under the mayor’s control.

Give flight to new ideas by bringing together public and private employers, unions, professional associations, think-tanks, academics, NGOs, independent experts and others with creative ideas for how Liverpool City Region can become a global leader where people in all sectors can combine family and work life. This will not only put our city region at the forefront of gender equality and diversity, but will also add significantly to our economic growth.

End the zero hours contracts for care workers and expect a living wage for all.