Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Topical Questions

Wednesday 10 February 2021 · 6 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 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Kerry McCarthy inquired about encouraging more women and girls to study STEM subjects, noting the International Day of Women and Girls in Science.
  • Kerry McCarthy questioned the Government about the 20 uplift in universal credit not being extended to disabled people and their carers.
  • Ruth Edwards thanked the safeguarding Minister for efforts against violence against women and girls and encouraged submissions to a Government call for evidence.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Kerry McCarthy Lab Bristol East
Science & Technology Women & Equalities
Context

Tomorrow is the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. The questioner references a programme promoting science, technology, engineering, and maths among girls.

Question

If she will make a statement on her departmental responsibilities regarding encouraging more women and girls to study STEM subjects.

Answer from Elizabeth Truss

Tomorrow is the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. Promoting science, technology, engineering and maths among girls is vital. Since 2010, 31% more girls and 34% more women are studying STEM subjects at A-level and university respectively. We are building on that programme with STEM ambassadors to encourage even more girls and women.

Answered
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Q2 Kerry McCarthy Lab Bristol East
Benefits & Welfare
Context

Many disabled people and carers are still receiving legacy benefits, which do not include the £20 uplift given to universal credit claimants. The MP questions if this is discriminatory.

Question

Does she agree that it is discriminatory that many disabled people and their carers are not getting the £20 uplift that universal credit recipients have been receiving?

Answer from Will Quince

I thank the hon. Lady for her question. I appreciate that many people are facing financial disruption due to the pandemic, which is why the Government have put an unprecedented package of support in place. Legacy benefits were increased by 1.7% last year and will increase by 0.5% from April, in line with prices.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask was to acknowledge discrimination, but the answerer focused on overall support measures.

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Q3 Ruth Edwards
NHS Women & Equalities
Context

The MP thanks the Minister for her work in combating violence against women and girls and encourages participation in a Government consultation on the next strategy.

Question

I thank the safeguarding Minister, my hon. Friend the Member for Louth and Horncastle (Victoria Atkins), for all her hard work to combat violence against women and girls. Will she join me in encouraging everybody who has experienced violence or supported those who have to submit their views to the Government's consultation on the next violence against women and girls strategy, which closes next week, on 19 February?

Answer from Victoria Atkins

I thank my hon. Friend for promoting the Government's call for evidence on tackling violence against women and girls. We are asking the public, victims, charities, employers, health professionals, universities, colleges, the armed forces, the NHS and many more for their views to develop a national strategy that is fit for the 2020s. This is the largest ever call for evidence on crimes that disproportionately affect women and girls.

Answered
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Q4 Marsha de Cordova Lab Battersea
NHS
Context

South Asians, particularly Bangladeshi and Pakistani people, are experiencing three times the risk from coronavirus in this second wave. The questioner questions the lack of a clear strategy to engage with black, Asian and ethnic minority communities.

Question

We know that historical issues of mistrust and culturally inappropriate public health information have contributed to legitimate vaccine hesitancy among these groups. What steps has she taken to ensure that the vaccine roll-out reaches all our communities, particularly those who are unequally impacted?

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

I will be providing a second covid disparities report at the end of this month. However, we recognise the seriousness of the issue. The disparities are changing for different groups; we have seen some progress among black groups. We emphasise that vaccines are the best way to protect people from coronavirus. The Department and NHS are working closely with these communities to support those receiving a vaccine.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask was for concrete steps, but the answerer provided plans without details on current actions.

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Q5 Marsha de Cordova Lab Battersea
Women & Equalities
Context

The Government have failed to consider the impact on equalities resulting from their responses to the pandemic, including higher mortality rates and job losses in deprived areas.

Question

That is why the Government have a legal duty, as set out in the Equality Act 2010, to consider the effects of policies on inequality. Can she now say that she will work to ensure that all Departments undertake and publish equality impact assessments on their responses?

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

I completely reject the hon. Lady's assertions. We do have a strategy, one part of which is to ensure that ethnic minorities are not stigmatised. The issues around coronavirus are complex. We have released information in various reports showing what the risk factors are and we have also outlined a plan to address them.

Not addressed: The specific ask was for a commitment, but the answerer rejected assertions without addressing it.

How: Rejecting Assertions

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Q6 Mark Menzies Con
Women & Equalities
Context

There is growing concern that an increasing number of women are becoming victims of online gambling addiction, with financial and mental health issues.

Question

What steps are the Government taking to truly understand the scale of this problem and safeguard women from predatory recruitment tactics?

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

Rates of problem gambling among women remain very low, but we know how devastating its impacts can be. The Gambling Commission is looking at data collection on gambling participation and problem gambling to ensure robust data access. We are also reviewing the Gambling Act 2005 for better protections.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask was about understanding scale, but the answerer discussed protection measures without addressing this directly.

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