Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Topical Questions

Wednesday 25 November 2020 · 8 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 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Mary Robinson asked about measures to tackle female genital mutilation internationally, to which the response highlighted ongoing UK Aid supported programmes that have helped 10,000 communities according to the UN Population Fund.
  • Marsha de Cordova inquired about the government's response to increased domestic abuse during the pandemic, and the Minister responded by noting that 76 million had been provided to support vulnerable individuals, including domestic abuse victims, with an additional 11 million recently allocated.
  • Virendra Sharma questioned the Secretary of State about attending an event on decolonising the British curriculum, but the Secretary declined, stating that they do not accept the premise that the curriculum is colonised and are open to hearing viewpoints on improvements.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Mary Robinson Con
Women & Equalities
Context

Requesting information on measures being taken to tackle FGM globally.

Question

While the global focus has been on dealing with the coronavirus pandemic, other important issues also need our attention, particularly the rising rates of female genital mutilation. What measures is my right hon. Friend taking to tackle FGM internationally?

Answer from Elizabeth Truss

My hon. Friend makes a very good point. We are continuing with UK Aid supported programmes on FGM, which have already helped 10,000 communities according to the UN Population Fund.

Answered
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Q2 Marsha de Cordova Lab Battersea
Women & Equalities
Context

Concern over funding levels and available beds for women fleeing domestic violence.

Question

Today is the international day for the elimination of violence against women. The latest Office for National Statistics figures show that 1.6 million women experienced domestic abuse last year. Since the pandemic began, domestic abuse has intensified and women have reported finding it harder to escape. Yet 10 years of sustained cuts to services have left just 4,000 beds available for women who are fleeing domestic violence. It is obvious that the funding provided so far is too little too late, so can the Minister say when the Government will adequately fund services and give women the confidence they need, so that they will be protected by this Government?

Answer from Elizabeth Truss

We have provided an extra £76 million to support vulnerable people including domestic abuse victims and a further £11 million recently made available to support domestic abuse services as they continue to manage the impacts of the pandemic.

Partly answered

How: Too Little Too Late

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Q3 Marsha de Cordova Lab Battersea
Women & Equalities
Context

Request to restart gender pay gap reporting.

Question

The gender pay gap is still sitting at around 15%. At the current rate of progress, more than 8 million women working today will retire before they see equal pay. This sends a message to women that this Government are happy to turn back the clock on women's equal pay. I am going to ask the Minister a straightforward question, yes or no: will she restart gender pay gap reporting in April next year?

Answer from Elizabeth Truss

Our focus is on helping women during the coronavirus crisis through the furlough scheme, flexible working and childcare support available, and getting more women into jobs. My view is that we need to address the causes of the gender pay gap including getting more girls and women studying STEM subjects.

Not addressed: Restarting gender pay gap reporting in April

How: Focus On Helping Women During Crisis

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Q4 Andrew Jones Con
Employment Women & Equalities
Context

Request for information on steps taken to support disability employment protections.

Question

The impact of the pandemic on unemployment is being felt in every constituency. It is more important than ever to ensure that those living with disabilities are treated equally in the recruitment process, so what steps is my right hon. Friend taking to ensure that protections that support equality throughout the recruitment process stay prominent as we focus now on recovery?

Answer from Justin Tomlinson

As part of our £30 billion plan for jobs, disability provision is embedded throughout our schemes including kick-start, job entry targeted support scheme, sector-based academies, apprenticeships, the health and work programme, intensive personalised employment support and access to work. We remind employers that they must focus on ability under the Equality Act 2010.

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Q5 Virendra Sharma Lab
Context

Request for Secretary of State to attend an event on decolonizing the British curriculum.

Question

I will be hosting a national group of experts on decolonising the British curriculum in January 2021. Will the Secretary of State attend that event to listen to the expert testimonies from the academics regarding this important issue?

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

I thank the hon. Gentleman for his question. We do not accept the premise that the curriculum in this country is colonised. While I am always interested in hearing viewpoints about how we can improve the curriculum, there are certain premises that we simply will not accept.

How: Not Accepting Premise

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Q6 Pauline Latham Con
NHS
Context

Requesting information on steps taken to improve access to these services.

Question

What recent steps has the Secretary of State taken with Cabinet colleagues to improve access to sexual and reproductive health services for young people during the covid-19 outbreak?

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

Sexual and reproductive health services have remained open during the pandemic. Services are maintaining access through scaling up of online services, local pathways for urgent referral including via young people's outreach should be maintained according to guidance from the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare.

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Q7 Bell Ribeiro-Addy Lab Clapham and Brixton Hill
Standards & Ethics
Context

Request for steps to ensure compliance in future legislation.

Question

The EHRC report on the hostile environment released today shows just how bad the situation has been over the years. It is clear that the EHRC does not have the capacity to launch an inquiry into every piece of legislation that has had its equality compliance questioned. Will the Minister explain what steps are being taken to ensure that future legislation is not labelled as complying with the public sector duty when it so clearly does not?

Answer from Elizabeth Truss

It is very important that we conduct equality impact assessments, but it is also important that they are kept confidential within the Government to ensure there is not a chilling effect and we can have an honest debate about achieving equality across all Departments.

Partly answered

How: Confidentiality

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Q8 Andrea Leadsom Con
Employment Children & Families
Context

More than half a million new babies were born during the first lockdown. Many women faced significant challenges balancing childcare with returning to work.

Question

My right hon. Friend will be aware that more than half a million new babies were born during the first lockdown. What assessment has she made for the many women who have had to struggle with juggling childcare responsibilities with going back to work during this very difficult year?

Answer from Elizabeth Truss

First, I congratulate my right hon. Friend on her important work leading the early years healthy development review. I completely agree that we need to ensure that people are protected during the lockdown and that they are helped, as we recover from covid, to find better childcare options and better flexible working options. I am working closely with the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy to achieve that.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific assessment or concrete measures regarding challenges faced by women balancing childcare and returning to work were not provided.

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