Tory MP warns couples having children could become ‘culturally unusual’ and that the declining birth rate is the ‘elephant in the room’
It could become “culturally unusual” for couples to have children as Britain’s birth rate continues to decline, a Tory MP has warned.
Miriam Cates said a “GDP-obsessed economic system” is causing new mothers to return to work too soon.
The MP added that the UK’s dwindling birth rate was the “elephant in the room” when it comes to discussions about the country’s economic performance.
Cates suggested that increasing immigration would not solve the problem.
“My fear is that unless we reverse this decline rapidly, it will become so culturally unusual to have a child that people will just stop doing it altogether,” she told demography researchers at global think tank, Alliance for Responsible Citizenship.
“We have got to start talking about solutions, otherwise, we are going to be no better off in 2030.”
She added: “Although the mass migration model [of growth] is frightening in the sense of what would be the democratic outcomes, it’s actually probably unlikely because we just won’t be able to find these immigrants from anywhere because nobody will have spare [young] population.
“The economic stagnation model is the most likely if we don’t change the fertility rate, and that is extremely frightening.”
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According to the latest statistics, the total fertility rate was just 1.49 children per woman in 2022 – a reduction compared to 1.59 in 2019 and 1.94 in 2010.
Data also shows that the number of women who have no children is also surging.
The ARC – a worldwide group of Right-wing politicians and activists – has set out to ensure that Western ideas continue into the next century.
Speaking at a conference last year, Cates said there was a link between the growing number of women going out to work and a jump in infants going to school wearing nappies.
She claimed the “GDP-obsessed” economic climate means mothers returning to work cannot potty train their children.
The MP warned that a fall in fertility rates threatens Western society.
“Nowhere have the disastrous results of this distorted pursuit of freedom, prosperity and happiness been more evident than in the damage being done to our children,” she said.