Economic Recovery Employment for Women 2021-01-13
2021-01-13
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The question arises due to concerns about the impact of the pandemic on women's employment, particularly in sectors like hospitality, retail, and leisure which have been heavily affected by lockdown measures.
What steps has the Government taken to ensure adequate employment opportunities for women during the economic recovery from the covid-19 outbreak?
The Government have taken significant steps to support employment opportunities for women, including protecting jobs through the coronavirus job retention scheme which supported 4.5 million jobs done by women and the self-employed income support scheme which issued grants to 1.4 million women.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The question arises due to concerns that recent government initiatives, such as those focused on house building and road building, may not adequately address the needs of women who are disproportionately employed in sectors like hospitality, retail, and leisure.
Female employment is highest in the services sector which has been hit particularly hard by redundancies in hospitality, retail and leisure. The new deal announced by the Prime Minister in June focused on house building, road building and infrastructure—all vital sectors, but heavily geared towards male employment. Can my hon. Friend confirm whether there are equivalent plans to stimulate female employment in the months ahead, and will he meet me to discuss this?
We are committed to having a fair recovery for all. During the crisis we have rolled out unprecedented levels of support to protect jobs for both women and men, including an extra £4.6 billion to support sectors that predominantly employ women. Yes, I would be happy to meet her to discuss what more can be done to stimulate employment, including female employment.
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Assessment & feedback
Equivalent plans to stimulate female employment were not specified in detail.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
Research by the Trades Union Congress indicates that mothers have taken on more childcare responsibilities since the pandemic began, leading to pressures in balancing work and childcare, especially for single-parent households.
Research shows that about 90% of mothers have increased their childcare responsibilities during the pandemic, with 43% having to balance this with working from home. This is a particular pressure for single-parent households, mostly headed by women. With women at greater risk of redundancy and disproportionately employed in sectors hardest hit by shutdowns, will the Minister commit to creating a legal, enforceable and immediate right for parents to request paid, flexible furlough?
Certainly furlough is available for women who have childcare responsibilities. It is up to employers whether they give this option, but if women feel disadvantaged, they can approach ACAS.
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Assessment & feedback
Commitment to creating a legal right for parents to request paid, flexible furlough was not provided.
Redirecting The Responsibility To Employers And Acas
Response accuracy