Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Women in the Workplace

Wednesday 24 November 2021 · 4 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Women in the workplace: Steps include extending redundancy protections after maternity leave, introducing neonatal leave and pay, and consulting on measures to increase flexible working availability.
  • Sports governing bodies: The Sport Minister is working to ensure safe environments for female athletes, but no specific actions by the Government Equalities Office were mentioned.
  • Farming industry: DEFRA is looking into succession rules unfairly discriminating against women in the farming industry, and a meeting with a Minister is being considered to discuss the issue.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Gavin Newlands SNP
Employment Women & Equalities
Context

The MP asks about steps to support women after returning from maternity leave and highlights the importance of ensuring fair treatment in professional settings like sports.

Question

What steps are being taken to support women in the workplace, including extending redundancy protections after maternity leave, introducing neonatal leave, and increasing flexible working opportunities?

Answer from Paul Scully

To help women in the workplace, we intend to build on existing legislation by extending redundancy protections after maternity leave, introducing neonatal leave and pay, and one week of unpaid carer's leave. We are consulting on measures to increase flexible working availability.

Answered
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Q2 Gavin Newlands SNP
Culture, Media & Sport Women & Equalities
Context

The MP meets Kate Seary and Mhairi Maclennan from Kyniska Advocacy, who campaign against abuse of women in sport. The professionalisation of women's sport raises issues of fairness and dignity at work.

Question

Does the Minister agree that sports governing bodies have a responsibility to ensure a safe environment for female athletes? What action is being taken by the Government Equalities Office?

Answer from Paul Scully

The Sport Minister is doing a lot of work to ensure that women in sports do not face abuse, but there are no specific actions mentioned by the Government Equalities Office.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific actions by the Government Equalities Office were not addressed

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Q3 Paul Howell
Agriculture & Rural Affairs Women & Equalities
Context

The MP met Stuart and Daphne Anderson from Farnless bison farm, who are concerned about succession rules that discriminate against women in the farming industry.

Question

Will the Minister meet to discuss issues regarding succession rules unfairly discriminating against women in the farming industry?

Answer from Paul Scully

My colleagues at DEFRA are looking into this issue. I will ensure they hear your question and request for a meeting, as a Minister would be willing to meet with you.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Commitment to a specific meeting was not given

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Q4 Kirsten Oswald SNP
Women & Equalities
Context

The MP highlights the intersectional issue of pay inequality, including gender, ethnicity, and disability. The Scottish Government commits to extending gender pay gap reporting.

Question

Will the UK Government consider following the Scottish Government's lead in requiring listed public authorities to extend gender pay gap reporting to include disability and ethnicity?

Answer from Paul Scully

We are certainly looking at it, but no specific measures or timelines were provided for reporting on ethnicity and disability pay gaps.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific actions or deadlines were given

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