Topical Questions 2024-03-20
2024-03-20
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The question follows an announcement regarding the independent inclusion at work panel report.
I am pleased to announce that the independent inclusion at work panel has launched their report on achieving fairness and inclusion for all in the workplace. What statement will she make on her departmental responsibilities?
I am pleased to announce today that the independent inclusion at work panel has launched their report on achieving fairness and inclusion for all in the workplace. The report, part of our inclusive Britain agenda, sets out how employers can do away with ineffective, divisive and poor-quality diversity and inclusion practices. It notes that the UK employs almost twice as many diversity and inclusion workers per head as any other country. Instead, we should focus resources on interventions backed by evidence, which will benefit all people. I thank the panel for their hard work and thoughtful consideration on this issue.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
A constituent faces difficulties accessing bus services due to time restrictions on the use of a blue badge.
My young disabled constituent Ella Wakley in Braunton goes to college, but her blue badge is accepted on buses only after 9.30 am, which is too late, so she has to pay for herself and her travel assistant. What steps is my right hon. Friend taking to ensure that improve accessibility for people such as Ella, who are trying to get on with their everyday lives?
As ever, my hon. Friend is a great advocate for her North Devon constituents. In the national bus strategy, the Department for Transport committed to conducting a wholesale review of the English national concessionary travel scheme. That will include reviewing eligibility and extensions to travel times for older and disabled people.
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Assessment & feedback
The question asked specifically about steps being taken to improve accessibility but only referenced a future review without specific actions or timelines.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
A Conservative party donor made derogatory remarks about a Labour MP, leading to questions about the handling of the issue.
Last week, the Minister for Women and Equalities rightly called the comments of Conservative party donor Frank Hester about the right hon. Member for Hackney North and Stoke Newington (Ms Abbott) “racist.” It has since emerged that Mr Hester has said that a group of Indian members of staff should climb on the roof, like on the roof of the train, and has made reference to Asian corner. Does the Minister agree that those comments are racist—yes or no?
I understand why the Labour party insists on bringing this issue up over and over again, but Mr Hester has apologised for his comments, we have welcomed his apology, and we are drawing a line under it. We are focused on what matters to the people of this country.
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Assessment & feedback
The question asked specifically if those comments were racist but instead addressed why Labour was bringing up the issue repeatedly without answering directly about racism in the specific language used.
Drawing A Line Under It
Focused On What Matters To The People Of This Country
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
Boys lag behind girls at every level, creating a persistent gender achievement gap.
Boys lag behind girls at every level at school, creating a gender attainment gap that has been in place for some 30 years. Will the Minister meet headteachers and a working group to see what we can do to reduce that gap?
I should be happy to. We want all children to reach their full potential.
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Assessment & feedback
The question asked for a meeting and action points but only indicated willingness without specific commitments or timelines.
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
A Tory party donor made derogatory remarks, raising questions about the handling of such issues.
Will the Minister clarify when the right moment is to move on from a Tory donor calling for an MP to be shot in the context of hating all black women? Is it when there is an apology for rudeness? Is it when £5 million more has arrived in Tory coffers? Is it when she tires of explaining racism to her party?
I am not going to take lectures whatsoever from Labour Members. This is a good time to remind the House that it is only the Labour party that has been sanctioned for institutional racism by the Equality and Human Rights Commission.
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Assessment & feedback
The question asked about moving on from racist comments but was met with an attack on Labour's record instead of addressing the substance of the issue.
Taking Lectures
Sanction For Institutional Racism
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
A campaign to remove caste as a protected characteristic continues due to concerns raised by the Hindu community.
Despite an overwhelming consultation response and promises from the Government, caste as a protected characteristic still hangs over the Hindu community. We have now established that the current provision could be removed via statutory instrument. Will my right hon. Friend take the opportunity to remove it once and for all before the general election?
I commend my hon. Friend, who has been working diligently on this important issue. Our view is that we need to do that through primary legislation. I recognise that it is important to many of his constituents and others, so I would be more than happy to meet him to see whether we can discuss a way forward.
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Assessment & feedback
The question asked for removal via statutory instrument but only indicated willingness to discuss primary legislation without specific commitment or timeline.
Response accuracy
Q7
Partial Answer
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Context
Reports of homophobic abuse have been received, yet service providers continue to receive good ratings from the Care Quality Commission.
Compassion in Care's helpline received 486 reports of homophobic abuse in care homes over the past four years, yet 481 of the service providers accounted for in those allegations are still rated as good by the Care Quality Commission. Will the Minister work with Cabinet colleagues to end discrimination against LGBTQ residents in care homes to ensure they are safe in the care system, and would she support the development of a “Pride in Care” quality mark and an LGBTQ+ care champions scheme?
If only that cheer was for me. The hon. Lady raises a really important point—it is something I feel really passionately about myself, and it is going to increase in prevalence as we get generations becoming older, because people have been more out in recent years.
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Assessment & feedback
The question asked for specific actions and support for schemes but only acknowledged the issue generally without committing to any action or timeline.
Response accuracy