Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Cost of Living: Women in the Workplace

Wednesday 26 October 2022 · 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 1 Partly answered 5 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Department for Work and Pensions introduced a new progression offer to help universal credit claimants identify job opportunities.
  • The Government has doubled childcare hours to 30 for working parents since 2010, covering 85% of costs under universal credit.
  • The Minister promised to write to several Members of Parliament with more detailed responses on their specific inquiries regarding women's workplace support and childcare costs.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Hannah Bardell SNP
Employment Benefits & Welfare Women & Equalities
Context

The MP noted concerns about women facing challenges in the workplace during the cost of living crisis. She referenced previous statements indicating a lack of understanding by the government regarding these issues.

Question

What recent steps are being taken to support women in the workplace during the cost of living crisis?

Answer from Claire Coutinho

The Department for Work and Pensions new progression offer will help claimants on universal credit identify opportunities in their current role or a new role. We have also increased the national living wage, reduced the universal credit taper rate, and increased the work allowance to ensure that work pays.

Answered
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Q2 Hannah Bardell SNP
Benefits & Welfare Children & Families
Context

The MP criticized the government's handling of childcare issues, noting high costs and a lack of understanding. She cited statistics showing that many parents pay as much or more for childcare than they do for rent or mortgage.

Question

What real actions will the Minister take to support working parents with childcare costs during the cost of living crisis?

Answer from Claire Coutinho

Childcare is an important issue. Since 2010, we have doubled childcare to 30 hours for working parents with a universal offer of 15 hours and covering 85% of childcare costs under universal credit. We will ensure that the relevant Minister writes to the hon. Lady with more detail.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific actions addressing high childcare costs were not detailed.

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Q3 Harriett Baldwin Con West Worcestershire
Standards & Ethics
Context

The MP raised the issue of an eighth of seats reserved for men only in another place, advocating for female succession rights. She mentioned her Hereditary Titles Bill aimed at changing this anomaly.

Question

Will the Minister support my Hereditary Titles (Female Succession) Bill to get that anomaly changed?

Answer from Claire Coutinho

I thank my hon. Friend for her impressive campaigning on this issue and will look into it, ensuring that I write to her about it.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Support for the bill was not explicitly stated.

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Q4 Anneliese Dodds Labour (Co-op) Oxford East
Economy Women & Equalities
Context

The MP questioned the impact of the government's economic growth strategy, which was described as bold but risky. She cited recent statistics showing financial struggles for women.

Question

What impact has the 'going for growth' strategy had on women's finances in light of last month's mini-Budget?

Answer from Claire Coutinho

We have provided lots of cost of living support for families, particularly for women. We will write to the hon. Lady further about the issue.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Impact on women's finances was not clearly explained.

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Q5 Anneliese Dodds Labour (Co-op) Oxford East
Economy Housing Employment
Context

The MP expressed disappointment over the government's response to previous questions. She cited recent statistics showing women needing multiple years' worth of salaries to buy homes, alongside plummeting real-term wages.

Question

Given that women need 12 times the average annual salary to buy a home and real-terms wages have dropped by nearly £600 since 2010, how does the Government's 'unicorn factory' characterization align with reality for working women?

Answer from Claire Coutinho

I completely dispute that characterisation. We have taken comprehensive steps to support people financially, including an energy price cap and increased national living wage. These steps help with finances and we will continue such efforts.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Characterization of the government's actions was disputed but specific actions were not detailed.

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Q6 Kirsten Oswald SNP
Employment
Context

The MP criticized the government for repeatedly committing to an employment bill but failing to introduce it. She cited issues like sick pay, flexible working rights, parental leave improvements, and pregnancy discrimination.

Question

Why has this Tory Government not introduced the promised Employment Bill despite repeated commitments? Why are they supporting inequality in the workplace?

Answer from Claire Coutinho

Changes in flexible working during the pandemic have been helpful to women. We are consulting on flexible working issues, though it is a matter for BEIS; I will ensure that relevant Minister writes to her about this issue.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Introduction of Employment Bill was not addressed.

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