Topical Questions 2023-12-13
2023-12-13
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
Kemi Badenoch's statement on the rise in antisemitism since 7 October.
If she will make a statement on her departmental responsibilities, specifically regarding the unacceptable rise in antisemitism and hostility towards the Jewish community since 7 October, and what further action can be taken to promote social cohesion.
In my last topical statement, I spoke about the unacceptable rise in antisemitism and hostility towards the Jewish community since 7 October, and I am updating the House on what further action I can take to promote social cohesion. The Equality Act 2010 is a shield against discrimination, and the public sector equality duty is part of that shield. To ensure that all public authorities understand how to comply with the duty, I will be publishing updated guidance shortly and writing to leaders of public authorities that have a key role in promoting social cohesion.
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Q2
Partial Answer
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Women's Budget Group noted that women are more reliant on benefits due to care-giving roles, and have been disproportionately impacted by social security changes since 2010.
I thank the Minister for that answer. As the Women's Budget Group has rightly pointed out, women are more reliant on benefits, due to care-giving roles, and they have been disproportionately impacted by regressive social security changes since 2010. What consideration has the Minister given to the abolition of the poverty-inducing benefit cap and the hated two-child limit, to prevent further poverty and destitution among women and children?
The hon. Gentleman will know that we disagree with the propositions set out, and have said so time and again at this Dispatch Box. We believe the two-child policy is important due to rising energy costs and the war in Ukraine caused by Russia. The Government are doing everything possible to limit the impact on households.
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Assessment & feedback
Abolition of benefit cap and two-child limit
Disagree With Propositions
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Q3
Direct Answer
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A Museum of London report concluded black people were more likely to die from medieval plague, which may impact current health and pandemic policies.
A Museum of London report has bizarrely concluded that black people were more likely to die from medieval plague. Will the Minister for Women and Equalities ensure such sensationalist research findings have no impact on current health and pandemic policy?
I agree with my hon. Friend that this type of research is damaging to trust, social cohesion, and even trust in health services. I have written to the director of the Museum of London to express concern.
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Q4
Partial Answer
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In 2020, women's life expectancy was almost 19 years shorter in the poorest parts of the UK compared to affluent areas. Labour introduced a socioeconomic duty in the Equality Act 2010.
In 2020, women's life expectancy in the poorest parts of the UK was almost 19 years shorter than those in the most affluent. Thirteen years ago, Labour introduced a socioeconomic duty in the Equality Act 2010 to make the NHS and other public bodies tackle this gap. Why have Ministers failed to implement it?
The hon. Lady is right that the socioeconomic duty she references is not commenced in England. It is in Scotland, however, and figures are worse there, showing the duty is not the solution.
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Assessment & feedback
Failure to implement socioeconomic duty
Figures Are Worse In Scotland
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Q5
Direct Answer
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Context
North Devon constituency is in the lower quartile for social mobility.
My North Devon constituency is in the lower quartile for social mobility. What steps is my right hon. Friend taking to improve social mobility outcomes for remote, rural and coastal communities?
We have established the Social Mobility Pledge consortium with businesses, and 120 have signed up. There are 12 community renewal fund projects serving her constituency and £1.2 million from the shared prosperity fund.
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Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
The Etherton review was published five months ago, with a statement due later.
The Etherton review was published five months ago. May I seek assurances from the Minister that the Department will work with the Ministry of Defence to ensure its recommendations are published at pace?
I completely agree. It was a very important review, and my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister made an apology at the Dispatch Box. There will be a statement later.
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Assessment & feedback
Assurances on publishing recommendations
Statement Later
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Q7
Direct Answer
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800 women pass through immigration detention annually, including those trafficked or victims of sexual abuse.
Every year, 800 women pass through immigration detention, including centres such as Yarl's Wood in my constituency. Many have been trafficked or are victims of sexual abuse. I am working with Women for Refugee Women to provide a snapshot of their backgrounds. Will the Minister agree to meet us to analyse their findings?
I would be happy to meet my hon. Friend. Women who have survived trafficking or sexual abuse are detained only when the evidence of vulnerability is outweighed by immigration removal considerations.
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Q8
Partial Answer
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Context
Gender bias affects the diagnosis and support for conditions like ADHD and autism in women and girls.
Gender bias plays a key role in the misdiagnosis and under-diagnosis of conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism in women and girls. What action are the Government taking to ensure that every girl with special educational needs receives support from their school or college, as she is entitled to by law?
We are working with 42 integrated care boards across the country to improve timelines for diagnosis of autism and ADHD. Some ICBs are doing well, but others need help.
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Assessment & feedback
Ensuring support for girls with special educational needs
Icbs Are Working On It
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Q9
Direct Answer
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People with impaired mobility depend on their cars for freedom. Anti-car policies like low-traffic networks are expanding.
Many people with impaired mobility conditions depend on their cars for the freedom to live the lives they want to lead. Will the Government crack down on Labour's anti-car policies in local government, such as expansion of ultra-low emission zones and low-traffic networks?
This Government condemn Labour's attack on motorists. In summer, the Prime Minister ordered a review of low-traffic neighbourhoods making London inaccessible for disabled people.
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Q10
Partial Answer
Keep Prisons Single Sex has disclosed that police forces are still failing to adequately record the sex of offenders at birth and sometimes record self-identification. This can have a considerable effect on criminal justice data. Will the Minister take any steps to ensure that the correct data is given, so that appropriate analysis can be given and we do not have skewed information?
That is something that my Department is working on. The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right that we need to ensure that data is accurate, that people understand what is being recorded and that this does not have an impact on how public services are delivered. If he has any further information that he would like to share, I would very much like to see if there are specific constituency circumstances we can look into.
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Assessment & feedback
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