Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Covid-19: Women in the Workplace

Wednesday 17 June 2020 · 2 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial Questions focused on the impact of Covid-19 on women in the workplace.
  • The Government is monitoring the effects of the crisis on sectors where women are disproportionately employed.
  • Employers are required by equality legislation to offer flexible working options to help balance childcare and work commitments.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Laura Farris Con Hemel Hempstead
Employment Women & Equalities
Context

The Institute for Fiscal Studies reported that women are more likely to have permanently lost their jobs or been furloughed during the pandemic, with hospitality and leisure industries particularly affected.

Question

What steps can be taken to ensure that women do not emerge as the accidental casualties of the crisis in sectors like hospitality and leisure where they are disproportionately employed?

Answer from Paul Scully (Minister for Small Business, Consumers and Labour Markets)

The Government is actively monitoring the impact of covid-19 on the labour market but it is too early to draw firm conclusions. Equality legislation requires that employers must not discriminate based on gender and this law continues to apply.

Answered
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Q2 Gill Furniss Lab Darlington
Employment Benefits & Welfare Children & Families
Context

The closure of schools and childcare facilities poses a significant challenge for women, as they are often responsible for childcare. This could force many women to leave their jobs or reduce hours.

Question

What measures will the Government take to ensure that women can return to work in a flexible manner to balance childcare commitments without losing out financially, especially with schools not fully open?

Answer from Paul Scully (Minister for Small Business, Consumers and Labour Markets)

Local authorities should be able to guide women seeking childcare provisions. Employers need to be mindful of flexible working options such as remote work if feasible.

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