CURRENT NEWS

22/04/2012: Marathon runner raises funds for Mothers' Union.

Congratulations to Martin Holdings who ran this year's London Marathon and finished in the very respectable time of 3hrs 30mins and 49 seconds. It was the fourth time Martin had competed in the event and this year he chose to raise money for Mothers' Union through his efforts. All the funds will go towards the Family Life Programme.To help Martin raise even more to help the 50,000 Ugandans whose living conditions are raised through the work of the programme please visit his donations page.

18/04/2012: Publication of Independent Parliamentary Inquiry into Online Child Protection

Mothers' Union today welcomed the final report of the cross-party Parliamentary Inquiry into Online Child Protection which was published today. The Inquiry makes eight main recommendations to help protect children from inappropriate content online, including a formal review by Government of an opt-in system to access adult material on the internet, and called on Government to press for an accelerated implementation timetable for Active Choice.

Speaking after the launch event, Mothers' Union's Chief Executive, Reg Bailey said "We are delighted with the impetus behind Active Choice, and the recommendations that ISPs should provide better support for internet safety education to help parents keep their children safe online. Claire Perry rightly commented in the Inquiry that parents are responsible for their children's online safety, and we would still advise parents to discuss the benefits and dangers of the internet, as they would with any other situations children need to learn to navigate as they grow up".

Full Inquiry details can be found on our campaign website www.byebuychildhood.org

05/04/2012: Mothers' Union members honoured by Queen.

In her Jubilee year Her Majesty The Queen presented 86 women and 86 men Royal Maundy money at a service at York Minster. These awards were given to individuals who had been recognised for their commitment and dedication to the Church and community. Several of the recipients were Mothers' Union members and this honour was a true testament to their selfless services for and on behalf of the organisation. Vera Woodhouse, Brenda Thorpe, Molly Harris, Stella Vernon, Agness Garrett and Eileen French were amongst the men and women who were presented with the Royal coins at the service.

15/3/2012: Cuts to child benefit should be fairer.

As part of its committment to support family life Mothers' Union Chief Executive, Reg Bailey has joined the voice of Mothers' Union to those of other family focussed organisations calling on Prime Minister David Cameron to reconsider the proposal to cut Child Benefit to higher rate tax-payers. The letter, coordinated by Child Poverty Action Group and signed by the Fawcett Society, Working Families and Maternity Action, In particular Mothers' Union are concerned at the disparity of a system which will cut benefit to an individual, and not consider overall household income, thereby penalising single wage-earner families whilst higher income households will continue to receive child benefit. Mothers' Union urged the government not to send the wrong signals to families by penalizing them through the child benefit freeze, and called on them to remember that it is always the most vulnerable and poorest children that suffer most." Copy of the letter can be accessed here.

1/3/2012: Prison Volunteers commended by Butler Trust.

Mothers' Union members Rita Evans and Jackie Brocklebank have been awareded a commendation by the Butler Trust for their voluntary work at Swinfen Yall Young Offenders Institute in the Birmingham area. Given for voluntary work given over 12 months or more, the award recognises the positive impact the work had in helping young fathers at HMYOI Swinfen maintain relationships with their children. The award will be presented by HRH The Princess Royal.

4/1/2012: Liz Moore honoured for her Mothers' Union outreach.
Midhurst, UK member, Liz Moore, was honoured for her community work today by the town council of the area. Liz works tirelessly in her community offering support to young families, gives advice in child care and good parenting, and on child behaviour. As well as opening her home as a foster mother over the past years, she has volunteered with the Mothers' Union toddler group and been a Mothers' Union volunteer at Ford Open Prison Creche.

11/10/11: Mothers' Union welcomes progress on Bailey Review implementation

Chief Executive of Mothers' Union, Reg Bailey, met today with the Prime Minister, Sarah Teather. Welcoming the launch of the website for parents, Parentport, and the news that major internet providers will now require customers to actively opt in to receive adult content, rather than the less effective opt out control that currently exists Reg Bailey said We are delighted to see responsible providers now actively helping families to manage media in the home by offering this greater opportunity to protect children. However we do look to other providers to follow suit, and we want robust ongoing monitoring of the implementation of the Bailey Review recommendations to ensure full compliance." To read our full press release scroll down to access our latest press releases and download the word document.

14/09/11: Mothers' Union warmly welcomes UNICEF report into children's well-being

Mothers' Union today welcomed UNICEF's report into children's well-being, commenting that it endorses Mothers' Union's belief that family life in the UK is under great threat. Mothers' Union believes that the immediacy of materialism not only leads to dissatisfaction and competitiveness amongst children who are pressurised into being consumers from early on, but stifles other development at a critical age. See our full press release below. UNICEF's full report here.

7/9/2011: Mothers' Union's Diocesan President in Guyana recipient of UN award for advancing women's equality in Guyana
Mothers' Union's Diocesan President in Guyana, and principal Parenting Trainer, Sheran Harper, has been nominated by the Women and Gender Equality Commission Guyana as a recipient of a United Nationals award for her contributions to the equality of women. The award, made at the request of the UN, is one of fifty presented to women of African descent in recognition of their work to further the development of Guyana.

MEDIA ENQUIRIES: 020 7227 9734 (direct line) or 020 7222 5533 (Mothers' Union switchboard)

OUT OF OFFICE PRESS CONTACT: Fiona Thomas 07973 667 027