Covid-19 Support for Women 2021-02-10
2021-02-10
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
Recent assessments are needed to determine if government support is adequate for women affected by the pandemic.
What recent assessment has been made of the adequacy of Government support for women during the covid-19 outbreak?
We have rolled out unprecedented levels of economic support to those who need it most, regardless of gender. That includes sectors that employ large numbers of women, such as retail and hospitality. The Government are continually reviewing the effectiveness of their support and Departments carefully consider the impact of their decisions on those sharing protected characteristics.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific assessment of adequacy was not provided; only general statements about support.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
A High Court ruling found the universal credit childcare payment system to be unlawful and discriminatory against women, impacting a single mother who was forced into debt.
Does the Minister agree that the Universal Credit childcare offer is inadequate for parents who rely on it? Will she urge the Department of Work and Pensions to improve it?
I will speak to my colleagues in the DWP, but I know that the Government have been offering unprecedented levels of support to provide for all those people who require support in childcare. That includes the recent £20 uplift, which the Chancellor agreed to last year.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific agreement on inadequacy was not given; only commitment to speak to DWP and mention of recent uplift.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
A TUC survey found that 71% of mothers asking to be furloughed due to childcare responsibilities have been refused by their employers.
What steps will the Minister take to ensure affordable childcare is available for all parents who need it?
I thank the hon. Lady for her question. The Government have provided significant support for those people who have been furloughed, and there is a childcare provision within universal credit. We recognise that parents across the country are having difficulties during the pandemic, and we have put several measures in place to ensure they have the support required.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific steps were not detailed; only broad statements about existing measures and recognition of difficulties.
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The pandemic has made flexible working essential, but current regulations require 26 consecutive weeks of employment before an employee can request flexible working.
What consideration has the Minister given to the recommendation in the Women and Equalities Committee report to remove the 26-week threshold for requesting flexible working?
We have a manifesto commitment to further encourage flexible working, and we are going to be consulting on making it the default unless employers have good reasons not to. We know that the Women and Equalities Committee has released a report, and we are carefully considering it and will provide our conclusions in due course.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific plans or considerations were not detailed; only commitment to consultation and providing conclusions later.
Response accuracy