Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths

Wednesday 12 January 2022 · 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 0 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Between 2010 and 2020, the number of women accepted on to full-time STEM undergraduate courses increased by 49%.
  • Women now account for more than half of all apprenticeship starts across the country.
  • The Minister expressed support for encouraging young people, including women, into STEM opportunities in Wrexham.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Suzanne Webb
Education Employment Women & Equalities
Context

The number of women studying and employed in STEM fields is a concern, prompting this question.

Question

What steps she is taking to increase the number of women and girls (a) studying and (b) employed in STEM subjects and jobs?

Answer from Alex Burghart

Between 2010 and 2020, the number of women accepted on to full-time STEM undergraduate courses increased by 49%. The Government is committed to increasing STEM uptake through funding programmes such as the Inclusion in Schools physics programme.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific steps for employment in STEM jobs were not addressed

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Q2 Suzanne Webb
Education Science & Technology Women & Equalities
Context

The electric vehicle revolution is creating new opportunities in the west midlands, and there's a need to ensure women are taking up these roles.

Question

Would my hon. Friend be able to let me know exactly how many women are taking up STEM apprenticeships? I ask this question specifically because the electric vehicle revolution in the west midlands is leading the way, and I am keen to see women taking up such opportunities so that they can have a long-term career in high-quality, high-paid jobs.

Answer from Alex Burghart

Women now account for more than half of all apprenticeship starts across the country. The apprenticeships diversity champions network is working with employers to ensure improvements in this area.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific number of women in STEM apprenticeships was not provided

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Q3 Margaret Ferrier SNP
Education Science & Technology Women & Equalities
Context

The under-representation of women in niche fields like photonics needs assessment to improve advertising and incentives.

Question

The under-representation of women in STEM is informed by a variety of factors. What assessment have the Government made of how careers in niche areas of STEM such as photonics can be better advertised and incentivised for women?

Answer from Alex Burghart

The number of women on full-time STEM undergraduate courses has increased by 49% since 2010. The percentage of women on full-time STEM undergraduate courses is now at 42%, up from 34%. A-level science entries have also increased among girls, and more than half of all science A-level entrants are now female.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Assessment for niche areas like photonics was not provided

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Q4 Sarah Atherton
Education Science & Technology Women & Equalities
Context

Wockhardt's involvement with AstraZeneca vaccine production has set the stage for STEM initiatives, particularly encouraging women and young people.

Question

Wockhardt in Wrexham made the AstraZeneca vaccine ready, setting the scene for Wrexham to be at the forefront of opportunities. Does the Minister agree that now is the time to encourage young people, including women, into STEM opportunities, and that Wrexham, with Glyndŵr University and Coleg Cambria, is just the place to do that?

Answer from Alex Burghart

Under this Government, women and girls are driving the STEM revolution. I look forward to visiting Wrexham to see the progress being made.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific agreement or plans for encouraging young people in STEM roles was not provided

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