Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Topical Questions

Wednesday 11 March 2020 · 4 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 4 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Government has extended the EnAble fund to support disabled candidates in local and police and crime commissioner elections.
  • The Minister highlighted the Government's achievements in supporting women, including record numbers in employment and increased participation in STEM fields.
  • The Department for International Trade aims to protect food safety standards in trade deals, benefiting women farmers as seen in the lifting of the US ban on British beef.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 David Evennett Con Rochford and Southend East
Women & Equalities Standards & Ethics
Context

The government is focused on improving opportunities for women. A specific concern about the impact of disabilities on candidacy.

Question

I thank my right hon. Friend for all the work she is doing to improve opportunities for women in this country and across the world. However, what steps are the Government taking to support and encourage disabled candidates seeking office in the forthcoming local and police and crime commissioner elections?

Answer from Elizabeth Truss

We want to encourage more people with disabilities to come forward. They often face extra challenges and costs. That is why we have extended the EnAble fund, to support disabled candidates in local elections and police and crime commissioner elections.

Answered
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Q2 Dawn Butler Lab Westminster North
Women & Equalities
Context

The Minister must consider the disproportionate impact on women from previous government cuts, gig economy, zero-hours contracts, and unpaid work by older women.

Question

Can the Minister confirm that the disproportionate impact on women was specifically considered at the recent Cobra meeting dealing with the effects of coronavirus? Our country's social infrastructure has been weakened by this Government's cuts—86% of the cuts have fallen on women. The gig economy and zero-hours contracts have affected women more than any other group, hence the rise of in-work poverty. Caring responsibilities and volunteer work in our country are built on an army of women and grand- parents—the system is dependent on unpaid work by older women. What provisions have the Government made to address the adverse impact on women?

Answer from Elizabeth Truss

We have shown that we have delivered for women. We have a record number of women in work. We have more girls than ever studying science, technology, engineering and maths, with a 30% increase at A-level and an increase in the number of women studying STEM degrees. I suggest to the hon. Lady that her party should show a bit of leadership by enacting a female Labour leader.

Answered

Not addressed: The minister did not address the disproportionate impact on women from previous government cuts, gig economy, zero-hours contracts, and unpaid work by older women directly; she instead focused on current achievements for women in employment and education.

How: Redirecting To A Different Topic

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Q3 Jim Shannon DUP Strangford
Brexit Women & Equalities
Context

The minister must address discussions with the Department for International Trade regarding fair payment for women farmers.

Question

Has there been any discussion with the Department for International Trade regarding the fair payment of women farmers in any trade deals post Brexit as a foundational principle?

Answer from Elizabeth Truss

We are determined to ensure that we protect our fantastic food safety standards in any trade deal that we do. The hon. Gentleman will welcome, as I do, the fact that the US has lifted its ban on British beef, benefiting British beef farmers—particularly the Ladies in Beef group, which represents women beef farmers.

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Q4 Sheryll Murray Con Tewkesbury
Women & Equalities
Context

The minister must address the impact of negative comments and criticism from the left towards female leaders such as the first female Prime Minister and Home Secretary.

Question

Does my right hon. Friend think that those from the left constantly attacking our fantastic first female Prime Minister, saying female Ministers should be lynched or constantly attacking our superb female Home Secretary help to encourage women into politics?

Answer from Elizabeth Truss

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. There was a despicable cartoon about the Home Secretary in the weekend's Guardian. She is doing a brilliant job—fighting crime, getting our new immigration system in place—and it is the hypocrisy of those on the left that, when it is not a woman they agree with, they do everything they can to undermine her.

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