May 4th 2009

Sir,

An anonymous writer identified the numerous ways people won't appear in in increasingly meaningless unemployment statistics (Star letters 30 April). There is a new addition which is kicking in right now. From 2010 new legislation comes in aimed at helping mothers who have taken time out to have children. We will all need only 30 qualifying years of National Insurance credits to get a full state pension. For many who went on to Jobseekers Allowance in the Autumn the only reason to sign on 6 months later is for these credits.

The new pension rules are an important measure to stop discrimination against working mothers. They have the added benefit of getting many men and women in their late forties and fifties off unemployment figures after 6 months. A handy incentive to any government to get their bills through parliament !.

Yours sincerely

Steve Barnard
Green Party candidate Yorkshire & Humberside european Election

Promoted by Clive Lord of 44 Upper Batley Low Lane, Batley, WF17 0AP on behalf of Yorkshire & The Humber Green Party, 73 Eskdale Rd, Sheffield, S6 1SL