Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Science, Technology and Emerging Industries: Girls and Young Women

Wednesday 21 October 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 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Katherine Fletcher asked about steps to encourage girls and young women to lead in science, technology and emerging industries.
  • The Minister highlighted a 31% increase in girls studying STEM subjects since 2010.
  • The Minister noted that having more women in STEM is helping to close the wage gap and aiding economic recovery post-covid.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Katherine Fletcher
Science & Technology Women & Equalities
Context

N/A - General question about encouraging female leadership in STEM fields.

Question

What steps she is taking to encourage girls and young women to lead in science, technology and emerging industries.

Answer from Elizabeth Truss

We are making good progress in getting more girls and women into science, technology, engineering and maths, with a 31% increase in girls studying STEM subjects since 2010 and 1 million women now working in core STEM occupations.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific steps taken to encourage leadership roles for females were not detailed.

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Q2 Katherine Fletcher
NHS Women & Equalities
Context

The MP mentions specific female leaders in vaccine research, operations, testing and medicine who are setting examples for future generations.

Question

Professor Sarah Gilbert in vaccine research; Kate Bingham in vaccine operations; Baroness Harding in testing; Dr Jenny Harries in medicine—all fantastic examples of highly qualified professionals leading the UK's response to this once-in-a-century pandemic, and they all happen to be women in STEM. Does my right hon. Friend agree that they are setting a wonderful example for future generations of girls and boys in South Ribble, Lancashire and beyond?

Answer from Elizabeth Truss

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. They are a huge asset to our country, but having more women in STEM is also helping to close the wage gap and helping our economy to recover post covid. Around 35% of the wage gap can be overcome if we get more women working in high-paid occupations and sectors such as engineering and technology.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The exact role these leaders play as examples for young people was not addressed specifically.

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