Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Gender Equality

Tuesday 22 June 2021 · 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 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Kirsten Oswald questioned the Minister about the assessment of fiscal policies' impact on gender equality.
  • The Treasury responded that it considers the equality impact of its measures on those with protected characteristics, including gender.
  • Kirsten Oswald raised concerns about women's pensions, citing a constituent's dissatisfaction with the accelerated timetable for increases in women's state pension age.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Kirsten Oswald SNP
Economy Women & Equalities
Context

The question arises from concerns about how government fiscal policies impact gender equality. The MP is seeking an assessment of the recent effects.

Question

What recent assessment has been made of the effect of his fiscal policies on gender equality?

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

The Treasury carefully considers the equality impact of both individual measures and fiscal events on those sharing protected characteristics, including gender, in line with its legal obligations and commitment to promoting fairness.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific details or findings from a recent assessment are not provided.

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Q2 Kirsten Oswald SNP
Benefits & Welfare Women & Equalities
Context

The MP raises concerns about women being disproportionately affected by changes to the state pension age, referencing constituent Kay and the Women Against State Pension Inequality group.

Question

I thank the Minister for that response, but there are glaring gaps. For instance, on women's pensions, my constituent Kay cannot understand why she has to suffer because of the accelerated timetable for increases in women's state pension age. What does the Minister say to her and to the Women Against State Pension Inequality who wonder why the Government have not undertaken an impact assessment of the detriment they have all faced?

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

The Treasury complies with its public sector equality duty and takes into account all sorts of circumstances that need to be considered before putting forward any policies. We have had numerous debates about WASPI pensions over the last four years, and I am afraid this issue is settled. If the hon. Lady has specific issues with a particular constituent, I encourage her to take those up with the Department for Work and Pensions.

Not addressed: The Minister did not address why an impact assessment was not undertaken or provide any new information about the issue.

How: This Issue Is Settled

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