Government cuts have hit women hardest, says deputy Labour leader in pink visit to Black Country

Labour's deputy leader rolled into Netherton and Halesowen in her controversial pink battle bus yesterday.

She met with a group of 20 women at the Savoy Centre before meeting shoppers in Halesowen High Street and the Crossbow Shopping Centre.

She said: "There was more than 700,000 women in this region who did not vote in the general election last time - many because they do not have the confidence or the faith in the system," she said.

"We are going out with our bus to ask women what is important to them and how Labour can make a difference."

She said further government cuts would see spending go back to 1930s' levels and said there was still a big equality gap between men and women.

"We believe that this election will be a watershed for women in this country. Women in the West Midlands had been making progress in their lives with the backing of the last Labour government. But now, with this Tory-led government that progress is stalling and the clock is being turned back on equality.

"With Labour there would be more progress towards ending the unfairness of women earning less than men - and tackling low pay."

She met with Labour's Halesowen and Rowley Regis prospective parliamentary candidate Stephanie Peacock and Dudley South's Natasha Millward.

Labour's women's campaign 'Woman to Woman' is touring Britain to reach out to women voter.s

Ms Harman also hit out at critics of the bus who branded it 'patronising' and 'sexist'.

"The colour of the bus became a big issue, perhaps because it is something new and unusual," she said.

"But I've been to 20 places so far and of all the people I have spoken to, no-one ever mentions it," she added.

"They are not coming to discuss the colour, they want to talk about real issues; the NHS, bringing up their children, anger at politicians and politics.

"It is important women's voices are heard."