Valerie attends “Women on the Breadline” at the Crossing at St Paul’s in Walsall Town Centre

On Saturday 10 November 2012, Valerie spoke at the “Women on the Breadline” event at the Crossing at St Paul’s in Walsall Town Centre.

Valerie Vaz MP said:

“The Women on the Breadline event at the Crossing at St Paul’s in Walsall Town Centre served as a timely reminder of the impact of the economic downturn on women. Women are being hit disproportionately hard. In Walsall South the average wage for a woman in 2011 was £9.63 while men in Walsall South were paid on average £10.80 per hour.”

“The event was organised jointly by the TUC and the Walsall Women’s Forum. The women present had the opportunity to take part in workshops on a variety of issues, seek legal and welfare advice, take part in training opportunities and learn from women who had their own businesses. Students from Walsall College practised their skills on the attendees.”

Young dancers dazzled us with their discipline, talent and showed great hope for the future. The orgnaisers should be congratulated for organising such an interesting event and I hope this becomes a permanent fixture.

Valerie lit the candle before everyone stopped for a minute’s silence to remember the dead from all the wars and to think about peace.