Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Topical Questions 2020-01-23 (2)

Thursday 23 January 2020 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 3 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Kenny MacAskill questioned the Minister about the injustice faced by women officers in the Civil Nuclear Constabulary due to physical demands of the job.
  • Craig Tracey inquired about the women and enterprise all-party group's report, "Pathways to Progress," and sought Government support for encouraging female entrepreneurship.
  • Dawn Butler asked the Minister to clarify actions regarding the Government's race and disparity unit and steps being taken to address racial disparities.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Kenny MacAskill SNP East Kilbride, Strathaven and Hamilton West
Employment Women & Equalities
Context

Torness power station's female officers are expected to work until 67 despite physically arduous nature of job.

Question

Does the Minister accept that, as well as the injustice of women losing their state pension entitlements, there is an injustice to women officers in the Civil Nuclear Constabulary who are expected, at an inappropriate age, to do a job that is physically arduous and demanding? Should the maxim not be dignity in retirement, rather than work until you drop?

Answer from Elizabeth Truss (Minister for Women and Equalities)

On the subject of women working, one of the great things that this Government did early in the 2010 Session was to make sure that we do not have compulsory retirement and that we do take advantage of the skills of older people into their 60s and 70s. I am very happy to take up the specific issue with the relevant Department, but in general it is right that we have more flexibility and more opportunity for older people.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q2 Craig Tracey Con North Warwickshire
Business & Trade Women & Equalities
Context

The women and enterprise all-party group's “Pathways to Progress” report recommends ways to encourage more female entrepreneurs.

Question

Last year, the women and enterprise all-party group launched its first report, “Pathways to Progress”, which drew on the experiences of a large number of female business owners and gave recommendations to Government, financial institutions and businesses on how we can encourage more female entrepreneurs to start or skill a business. Will the Minister meet me to discuss how we can best unlock that opportunity, which has the potential to add an extra £250 billion to the UK economy?

Answer from Elizabeth Truss (Minister for Women and Equalities)

My hon. Friend is absolutely right: there is a huge opportunity to get more people, particularly more women, starting their own businesses. I would be delighted to meet him and work with the all-party group to make it happen.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q3 Dawn Butler Lab West London
Women & Equalities
Context

The Home Secretary's response on race relations was perceived as damaging, raising concerns about the Government's race and disparity unit.

Question

The Home Secretary's response to a question on race relations was actually quite damaging. I am really pleased that the Minister is listening to Labour MPs, but can she clarify what is happening with the Government's race and disparity unit, and outline steps that she is taking to address the fact that there are no women of colour in top civil service jobs?

Answer from Elizabeth Truss (Minister for Women and Equalities)

The Home Secretary was absolutely reflecting the fact that Britain is a great country in which to live and that we have very low levels of discrimination compared with the rest of the world. Of course, there is always more that we can do, but that is what this Department is about: removing the barriers that are based on race, gender or disability and making sure that people can thrive. I am proud of the fact that our Home Secretary is from an ethnic minority and that our Chancellor is from an ethnic minority. We have also had two female Prime Ministers. How is that going for the Labour party?

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email