STEM Workforce Diversity and Inclusion 2024-05-22
2024-05-22
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The question arises from the need to address diversity issues within the STEM sector.
What steps her Department is taking to help increase diversity and inclusion in the STEM workforce?
The science and technology framework sets out our commitment to expanding STEM opportunities to the most diverse range of people possible. We have acted swiftly to identify and dismantle any barriers to entry, leading to major improvements in recent years.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Specific actions or strategies were not detailed
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Today is National Numeracy Day, prompting a discussion on the skills gap faced by disadvantaged communities.
What is the Minister doing to ensure that people in constituencies like mine are not locked out of jobs in STEM by a skills gap that does not recognise the disadvantages they face?
While we must not be complacent, the Government have made outstanding progress on equality for all. The hon. Lady should join me in congratulating teachers on the fact that last year, under this Government, girls made up 52% of all science entries at A-level.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The skills gap and numeracy challenge were not directly addressed
Congratulating Teachers On Progress
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The Institute of Cancer Research's apprenticeship scheme is noted as a positive initiative for increasing representation.
Can the Minister say what, if any, lessons he is taking from that very positive initiative, in particular to increase representation in respect of ethnic diversity?
I congratulate the Institute of Cancer Research on that progress. I would be delighted to meet the institute and hear what development it is making, as would my hon. Friends. This Government have increased the number of apprenticeships. Unfortunately, under the Opposition's proposals the number of apprenticeships would halve.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Discussion on learning from Institute initiatives was avoided
Increase In Apprenticeships
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Sir James Dyson has given £6 million to a primary school and established a STEM college, aiming for inclusivity.
Inclusion and diversity in STEM will be greatly increased and helped by the £6 million that Sir James Dyson has recently given to Malmesbury Primary School in my constituency, as well as by the STEM college he has locally. He has made it plain that it is available to all and that he intends to make sure that everyone in the town of Malmesbury and the surrounding area benefits from it.
I commend my hon. Friend and Sir James Dyson for that initiative. It would be wonderful to see many more such initiatives across the whole country. My colleagues and I would be delighted to work with any philanthropists seeking to do something similar.
▸
Assessment & feedback
No specific support or actions were mentioned
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The Secretary of State's commitment to diversity is questioned due to the lack of equality impact assessments in key strategies.
Given that only 16% of practising engineers are women, it is like trying to play premiership football with half our players barred from the pitch. Can the Minister explain why not one of his major science strategies—the life sciences vision, the national AI strategy, and the UK science and technology framework—features an equality impact assessment?
As the hon. Lady well knows, diversity, STEM education and skills are at the heart of the UK science and technology framework, and we will be publishing skills frameworks for each of its priority areas.
▸
Assessment & feedback
No explanation provided for lack of equality impact assessments
Response accuracy