This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2013/jul/08/pm-adviser-women-education-childcare

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
PM's adviser on women's issues to cover education and childcare as well PM's adviser on women's issues to cover education and childcare as well
(2 months later)
The woman appointed to advise David Cameron on how his policies will affect all women is now to cover education and childcare as well. Campaign groups have criticised the move, with one saying women's issues were "obviously not deemed important enough to merit the full attention of one official".The woman appointed to advise David Cameron on how his policies will affect all women is now to cover education and childcare as well. Campaign groups have criticised the move, with one saying women's issues were "obviously not deemed important enough to merit the full attention of one official".
Downing Street insiders moved to dismiss suggestions that Laura Trott – appointed amid much fanfare 17 months ago to win support for Cameron among female voters – had been sidelined. They insist she is still expected to continue advising the prime minister on how the government plans appeal to female voters, despite her extra responsibilities.Downing Street insiders moved to dismiss suggestions that Laura Trott – appointed amid much fanfare 17 months ago to win support for Cameron among female voters – had been sidelined. They insist she is still expected to continue advising the prime minister on how the government plans appeal to female voters, despite her extra responsibilities.
Many in the women's sector assumed that the low-profile special adviser had relinquished her responsibility for women's issues.Many in the women's sector assumed that the low-profile special adviser had relinquished her responsibility for women's issues.
Vivienne Hayes, chief executive of the Women's Resource Centre (WRC), the largest umbrella body for women's issues, is one of several in the sector never to have met Trott. "[Her appointment] was a response to negative press and we can only assume it was lip service. I'm not really surprised, but what sort of message does this send about the importance No 10 gives to gender equality?"Vivienne Hayes, chief executive of the Women's Resource Centre (WRC), the largest umbrella body for women's issues, is one of several in the sector never to have met Trott. "[Her appointment] was a response to negative press and we can only assume it was lip service. I'm not really surprised, but what sort of message does this send about the importance No 10 gives to gender equality?"
Hayes added: "What this says to me is that women's issues and women's equality are obviously not deemed important enough to merit the full attention of one official at Downing Street."Hayes added: "What this says to me is that women's issues and women's equality are obviously not deemed important enough to merit the full attention of one official at Downing Street."
Downing Street declined to comment on the new role, but education and childcare are thought to be key to winning over the support of female swing voters at the next election.Downing Street declined to comment on the new role, but education and childcare are thought to be key to winning over the support of female swing voters at the next election.
The Conservatives have won more support from men than women during their time in coalition government. An ICM/Guardian poll in February put Labour ahead of the Tories by seven points (36% to 29%) among men, but among women the Labour lead was 26 points (51% to 25%). This gap spurred the appointment of Trott, a councillor for the London borough of Camden.The Conservatives have won more support from men than women during their time in coalition government. An ICM/Guardian poll in February put Labour ahead of the Tories by seven points (36% to 29%) among men, but among women the Labour lead was 26 points (51% to 25%). This gap spurred the appointment of Trott, a councillor for the London borough of Camden.
So few women's groups have met Trott that the Labour party recently requested details of all such meetings using freedom of information legislation. Downing Street rejected the request, citing cost grounds in a letter sent on 3 July and seen by the Guardian.So few women's groups have met Trott that the Labour party recently requested details of all such meetings using freedom of information legislation. Downing Street rejected the request, citing cost grounds in a letter sent on 3 July and seen by the Guardian.
The office of Yvette Cooper, the shadow home secretary, was planning to appeal against the rejection.The office of Yvette Cooper, the shadow home secretary, was planning to appeal against the rejection.
The equality campaigning group the Fawcett Society said government policies that had seen benefits, public services and public sector jobs cut risked "pushing progress on women's equality back a generation".The equality campaigning group the Fawcett Society said government policies that had seen benefits, public services and public sector jobs cut risked "pushing progress on women's equality back a generation".
Since the coalition abolished the Women's National Commission soon after coming to power in 2010, the government has focused on business interests, with the formation of a women's business council, rather than dealing with women's groups that deal with violence or poverty.Since the coalition abolished the Women's National Commission soon after coming to power in 2010, the government has focused on business interests, with the formation of a women's business council, rather than dealing with women's groups that deal with violence or poverty.
Hayes at the WRC said of the business council: "It's a good thing but it's not enough. Women are bearing the brunt of the mistakes of the bankers … yet discrimination against women is not a key issue for our government."Hayes at the WRC said of the business council: "It's a good thing but it's not enough. Women are bearing the brunt of the mistakes of the bankers … yet discrimination against women is not a key issue for our government."
Among the rare meetings conducted by Trott was a visit from Louise Webster, "a parent and PR professional" whose website beyondtheschoolrun.com focuses on how "untapped skill and potential drifts away from the school gate every morning".Among the rare meetings conducted by Trott was a visit from Louise Webster, "a parent and PR professional" whose website beyondtheschoolrun.com focuses on how "untapped skill and potential drifts away from the school gate every morning".
Trott's new role is understood to have started at least a month ago, during the last Downing Street reshuffle that put Jo Johnson, brother of Boris, in charge of the Downing Street policy unit.Trott's new role is understood to have started at least a month ago, during the last Downing Street reshuffle that put Jo Johnson, brother of Boris, in charge of the Downing Street policy unit.
She is one of just three women in a 26-strong newly reshaped Downing Street operation. Before entering Downing Street Trott was a special adviser to Francis Maude, the Cabinet Office minister.She is one of just three women in a 26-strong newly reshaped Downing Street operation. Before entering Downing Street Trott was a special adviser to Francis Maude, the Cabinet Office minister.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.