Policy Announcements, Tuesday 12 June

Government  

• Women would get the legal right to breastfeed in public, under a new law being proposed by the government. The measure in the Single Equality Bill aims to boost figures suggesting only 20% of UK women breastfeed exclusively for the recommended six months. Breastfeeding campaigner Alison Baum said some mothers did not breastfeed in public for fear of being asked to stop. The bill would also make private clubs give women equal rights, but would not ban men-only clubs. The bill, which covers England, Wales and Scotland, aims to draw together the current patchwork of laws regarding sex, race and religious discrimination.  
• Six million workers in Britain were today promised up to eight extra days annual holiday with the first four coming in October this year. The extra holidays will benefit up to 3.5million women and 2.5million men. The Government has published new regulations to boost the minimum holiday entitlement from 20 days a year to 24 days this October, and to 28 days from April 2009.  

Conservatives  

• The Conservatives have called for a major overhaul of the way young people are given skills training. A report from the party's vocational skills working group said too many people aged 16 to 24 are left on "Labour's scrap heap". The study called for a reformed system in which industry identifies the types of training needed by future employers and the allocation of funding follows student choice. And the working group backed a new careers service which would help trainees find courses that lead to "real jobs".  

Liberal Democrats  

• The Lib Dems have called on the Government to support the Corruption Bill, which receives its Third Reading in the House of Lords. The Bill aims to tighten the laws on British companies operating abroad, following criticism of current rules by the OECD. Commenting on his Bill, Lord (David) Chidgey said: "This Bill is vitally important to rebuilding Britain's reputation in the international community. The Government must take the same strong line against corruption that we expect from developing countries. The recent revelations surrounding BAE's deals with Saudi Arabia show just how weak our laws are. The UK is currently a laughing stock within the OECD. The Government should throw its weight behind this Bill to improve our current standing in the international community."