Treasury backs mums against Clark

It is truly ironic that we have the Treasury, often categorised as an uncaring agency, defending mothers and pouring cold water on Helen Clark’s plans to get more mums back to work.

The Treasury report points out the desirability of time spent with young children, says getting more mothers into work was not the best way to help the economy (increasing productivity, or the value of goods and services people produce is) and says unpaid activities such child rearing, housework and leisure “are nonetheless valuable and contribute to the overall welfare of the country”.

However as this advice contradicts what the PM said, it has been removed from the Treasury website.