Women in the Workplace 2022-02-23
2022-02-23
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The Way to Work scheme is criticized for not addressing women's specific challenges in the workplace, such as caring responsibilities and career progression.
We know that women face particular challenges in, for example, caring responsibilities and making progress in paid work, but rather than addressing that problem, the Government's Way to Work scheme will pressure people to take any job quickly rather than helping them to obtain good, sustainable jobs that they are qualified for. What discussions has the Minister had with colleagues at the Department for Work and Pensions about supporting women into good-quality, well-paid jobs and not just the first thing that turns up?
I am afraid that I disagree with the hon. Gentleman. As I have just heard from the Minister responsible—the Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, my hon. Friend the Member for Mid Sussex (Mims Davies)—individual circumstances are taken into account and we are doing the very best we can for women in the workplace.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about discussions on supporting women into good-quality jobs was not addressed.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
Maternity Action has highlighted a decline in the value of basic maternity, paternity, and parental pay relative to women's median weekly earnings. New parents also face challenges due to the current cost of living crisis.
Maternity Action has recently highlighted that over the past decade the value of the basic rate of maternity, paternity and parental pay has declined relative to women's median weekly earnings, from 42% in 2012, to just 37% from April this year. Of course, new parents now also face a Tory cost of living crisis. There is overwhelming evidence for the value of supporting the youngest members of our society and the families who care for them, so will the Minister urge her colleagues to match reality to the rhetoric, introduce the long-awaited employment Bill and take the steps necessary to support parental leave and pay to better support new parents?
The Government take the issue very seriously; I know that my colleagues in the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy are working very hard on it. I expect that we will hear very much more on the matter shortly.
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Assessment & feedback
No specific commitment or timeline for introducing an employment bill was provided.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The EHRC faces attacks that seek to undermine its independence, playing a critical role in enforcing equality law.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission has an important role to play in supporting women in the workplace through its statutory duty to enforce the Equality Act 2010. What support are the Government giving the EHRC as it faces attacks from those who seek to undermine its independence?
I thank my hon. Friend for that really important question. I have to say that I have been shocked by the really disgusting remarks that have been levelled at the chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission in particular. It is a disgrace that people are attacking the body that is supposed to be furthering equality in this country. No good can come of that.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about support for EHRC was not addressed; instead, the Minister commented on attacks against the commission's chair and the need for more minorities in public life.
Response accuracy