| Hobbs warns costs likely to hit birth rate
THE spiralling cost of raising a child means more couples are deciding to limit the size of their family, according to Eddie Hobbs (pictured right). He lashed out at current fiscal policy in Ireland saying it was not sufficiently family friendly and warning it could have long-term repercussions for the national birth rate. The consumer champion was in Dublin's Shelbourne Hotel last night to reveal the three biggest financial worries facing Irish consumers following a poll of readers of 'You and Your Money' magazine. The number one concern was inadequate pensions, followed by repaying the mortgage and the cost of childcare. "The biggest issue was pensions. This shows that people are thinking long-term - I was surprised at that." However, the "biggest shocker" was how worried people were about the cost of raising a child and how this might be affecting our birth rate.
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The in-tray
Gordon Brown has already announced a review of numeracy strategy and promised one-to-one tuition for pupils most at risk of falling behind. A target of 85% of 11-year-olds reaching expected levels in maths and English last year was not reached. He is worried about boys falling behind. "The challenge is to restart progress," says Richard Brooks, associate director at the Institute for Public Policy Research. "We also need to start closing the gap between those on free school meals and the rest." There is a need to engage pupils and parents at secondary school as Labour moves to raise the age for compulsory education or training to 18. Diplomas for 14-19-year-olds as alternatives to GCSEs and A-levels start next year. University tuition fees rise to £3,070 in September but applications in England are up 6%.
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