Topical Questions 2023-06-07

2023-06-07

TAGS
Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Partial Answer
Chris Law SNP
Dundee Central
Context
The Scottish and Welsh Governments have already issued formal apologies for the abhorrent practice of forced adoption, which affected hundreds of thousands of families from the 1940s to the 1970s.
Members on these Benches would like to share our sympathies as well. It is simply not good enough for the UK Government to absolve themselves of responsibility for the abhorrent practice of forced adoption, which affected hundreds of thousands of families from the 1940s to the 1970s. Rather than apologise on behalf of society, will the Minister finally find a backbone, acknowledge that the state failed to protect those affected and commit to issuing a formal apology on behalf of the UK Government, as the Scottish and Welsh Governments have already done?
I thank the hon. Gentleman for his comment at the beginning there. He raises an important point. Obviously, that issue is not within my portfolio area, but I will certainly take it up with the Minister responsible and come back to him on it, if he will allow me to do so.
Assessment & feedback
The minister deflected by stating the issue was not within his portfolio area and would seek advice from another department.
Not My Responsibility Will Take Up With Responsible Minister
Response accuracy
Q2 Partial Answer
Luke Evans Con
Hinckley and Bosworth
Context
Residents of Hinckley and Bosworth have raised concerns regarding inclusive transport for disabled travellers.
Recently, residents of Hinckley and Bosworth raised with me their experiences as disabled travellers. I know the Government are concentrating on the inclusive transport strategy, but can they update me on what that will look like tangibly when it comes to public transport—flights, buses and so on—for the likes of my constituents?
I thank my hon. Friend for campaigning on this issue. Having inclusive transport is important. He is right that the inclusive transport strategy is integral to our ambition to make transport fully accessible by 2030. My colleagues in the Department for Transport are committed to delivering that strategy to make real practical differences from accessible platforms through to accessible buses. We will be able to update him shortly with more progress.
Assessment & feedback
The minister did not provide specific details on how tangible aspects of the inclusive transport strategy would benefit disabled travellers, focusing instead on general commitments and future updates.
Future Updates General Commitment
Response accuracy
Q3 Partial Answer
Context
Recent statistics show a 35% gender pension gap in private pensions, with more than one in ten women being in jobs where their employers did not have to enter them into a workplace pension compared with fewer than one in twenty men. This results in an income gap of 40.5% for retired women.
The UK Government recently published statistics showing a 35% gender pension gap in private pensions, and recent research by the TUC suggests that more than one in 10 women are in jobs where their employers did not have to enter them into a workplace pension compared with fewer than one in 20 men. According to calculations from the Prospect union, the income gap between men and women in retirement is therefore now 40.5%, which is more than twice the level of the gender pay gap. What action is the Department taking with Cabinet colleagues to close that shameful gap?
I do understand the hon. Lady's point. We remain committed to our ambition to remove the lower earnings limit, as we set out in 2017. That will proportionately benefit the lowest earners the most, including women working part-time.
Assessment & feedback
The minister did not provide specific actions or timelines for addressing the pension gap but reiterated a commitment made previously without new details.
Committed To Removing Lower Earnings Limit
Response accuracy
Q4 Partial Answer
Context
Women established more than 150,000 new companies in the UK last year, doubling from four years ago and representing a record high. However, women's founding of businesses remains significantly below that of men.
Last year, women established more than 150,000 new companies in the UK, which is twice as many as four years ago and the highest ever, yet the number of women founding businesses remains well below that of men. What steps are being taken to further support female entrepreneurs?
We are committed to supporting female entrepreneurs, particularly in the high-growth sector. That is why we have launched the women-led high-growth enterprise taskforce, which has found that venture capital is a serious barrier. Currently, for every £1 of venture capital, 89p goes to companies led by men and only a penny to women. That is why getting access to venture capital and funding opportunities is a priority for female entrepreneurs.
Assessment & feedback
The minister did not provide specific steps or actions but acknowledged barriers faced by female entrepreneurs without concrete measures announced.
Acknowledged Barrier Priority
Response accuracy
Q5 Partial Answer
Context
The disability income gap remains at 44%, leaving disabled individuals highly vulnerable to rising costs of living.
According to research from the Resolution Foundation, the disability income gap is still at 44%, leaving disabled people hugely exposed to the rising cost of essentials in the context of the cost of living crisis. What steps is the Department taking with the Department for Work and Pensions to ensure that work coaches and disability advisers understand the barriers to employment faced by disabled people? Will the Department urge DWP colleagues to consider what additional specialist support could be offered to disabled jobseekers?
Our disability employment adviser is there to understand exactly those needs and support. I point people to the benefits calculator on gov.uk, and say that there will be further cost of living payment support.
Assessment & feedback
The minister did not provide specific steps or actions but highlighted general support mechanisms without concrete commitments.
Disability Employment Adviser Point To Benefits Calculator
Response accuracy
Q6 Partial Answer
Bob Blackman Con
Harrow East
Context
The Equality Act 2010 is being considered for amendment to remove caste as a protected characteristic.
What plans does my right hon. Friend have to amend the Equality Act 2010, which would give us the opportunity to remove caste as a protected characteristic?
At the moment, the Government have no plans to amend that Act. Obviously, we keep everything under further consideration.
Assessment & feedback
The minister did not provide any specific plans but indicated that amending the act is under review without commitment to action.
No Current Plans Under Review
Response accuracy
Q7 Partial Answer
Context
The Chancellor's spring Budget included measures to encourage over-50s to remain in work but did not address support for those going through menopause. The Women and Equalities Committee report on menopause was largely rejected by the UK Government, leading to concerns about protecting women from leaving the workforce.
The Chancellor's spring Budget announced measures to get the over-50s to return or stay in work, but did not announce any support for those experiencing menopause. The UK Government have rejected most of the recommendations in the report on menopause by the Women and Equalities Committee, whose Chair has said that it is a missed opportunity to protect vast numbers of women from leaving the workforce. Why have the UK Government not followed the Committee's recommendations?
We have appointed a Government champion on menopause matters, Helen Tomlinson, who is doing sterling work. Our 50PLUS coaches in jobcentres are supporting women to progress, and I urge all employers to focus on supporting women, adjusting the workplace and listening to their needs so that 50-plus can be the most important, progressive and positive time of women's working lives.
Assessment & feedback
Specific support for menopause was not detailed beyond mentioning a champion and coaching in jobcentres
Response accuracy
Q8 Direct Answer
Context
Only a small percentage of top UK energy companies have women in executive director positions, with many lacking any female board members. There is concern about the lack of women in science, technology, engineering, and maths jobs.
Some 78% of top UK energy companies have no women in executive director positions, and 28% have no women on the board. Does my right hon. Friend agree that we need to do far more to help women into science, technology, engineering and maths jobs?
My hon. Friend is correct. We have made great progress in getting young girls to take STEM subjects—the numbers are up 31%—but the challenge is to get them into work. The FTSE women leaders review has set a target of 40% of FTSE 350 companies having women on their board. The STEM Returners programme is key to getting experienced women back into the workplace and on to those boards.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy