Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Topical Questions

Wednesday 26 April 2023 · 5 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 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Michael Fabricant thanked the Secretary of State for fulfilling 32 out of 74 commitments in the first year of the Inclusive Britain action plan, including issuing voluntary guidance for employers to measure and address ethnicity pay gaps.
  • The Secretary of State stated that NHS England is expanding clinical capacity in adult gender identity services through new pilot clinics rooted in primary care and sexual health services, with four new clinics opening since 2020.
  • Chris Stephens asked the Minister to work with Cabinet colleagues to ensure women's work pays by introducing a real living wage and strengthening protection for workers on zero-hours contracts, though the response did not detail specific commitments to these measures.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Michael Fabricant Con
Women & Equalities
Context

The Inclusive Britain report by the department shows substantial progress in tackling ethnic disparities.

Question

If she will make a statement on her departmental responsibilities. The questioner thanks the Secretary of State for fulfilling 32 out of 74 commitments in the first year, including issuing voluntary guidance for employers to measure and address ethnicity pay gaps.

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

Last week, we published a report on the substantial progress made in delivering our groundbreaking Inclusive Britain action plan. We fulfilled 32 of the 74 commitments one year after launch, including issuing voluntary guidance for employers to measure and address ethnicity pay gaps. I will report back to Parliament in 12 months' time on the progress we have made on delivering the remaining actions.

Answered
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Q2 Michael Fabricant Con
NHS Women & Equalities
Context

The questioner is concerned about the demonisation of trans people in some quarters.

Question

While supporting the need for protected places for women, the questioner expresses concern that trans people are becoming demonised. He asks what the Secretary of State is doing to protect the interests and nature of genuine trans people.

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

We believe in individual liberty and humanity, aiming to take the toxicity out of debates. NHS England is expanding clinical capacity in adult gender identity services through new pilot clinics rooted in primary care and sexual health services. Four new clinics have opened since 2020, with a fifth opening this year.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific measures to protect trans people's interests were not detailed beyond expanding NHS capacity.

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Q3 Chris Stephens SNP
Employment Benefits & Welfare
Context

Research from the Living Wage Foundation shows that over 2 million women earn below the real living wage.

Question

The hon. Gentleman raises concerns about women being trapped in low-paid, insecure and precarious jobs. He asks if the Minister will work with Cabinet colleagues to ensure their work pays by introducing a real living wage and strengthening protection for workers on zero-hours contracts.

Answer from Mims Davies

The Department for Work and Pensions focuses on in-work progression, supporting women with childcare, training or other needs. The emphasis is on helping them progress and thrive in work, though specific commitments to a real living wage or zero-hours contract protections were not detailed.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Introduction of a real living wage and protections for zero-hours contracts were not committed to directly.

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Q4 Luke Evans Con Hinckley and Bosworth
Women & Equalities
Context

Studies show that anabolic steroid usage is particularly high among gay men, up to six times higher than straight counterparts.

Question

The hon. Member asks if the Department will work with DCMS and DHSC to commission a study of anabolic steroid use in the UK.

Answer from Stuart Andrew

The hon. Friend's extensive work is commendable, and as a DCMS Minister and Equalities Minister, I will take keen interest in this area. Specific commitment to commission the study was not provided.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Commissioning of anabolic steroid use study across demographics was not directly committed to.

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Q5 Kenny MacAskill
Justice & Courts
Context

The Ministry of Justice has made changes regarding transgender prisoners, excluding those guilty of sexual or violent offences from the general women's estate.

Question

The Minister is asked if there is a need for single-sex spaces and services across other Departments, based on the criterion of sex at birth.

Answer from Damian Hinds

Safety must come first. More than 90% of transgender women prisoners are housed in the male estate, with policy strengthened to house those who have committed sexual or violent offences elsewhere only under exceptional circumstances on a case-by-case basis.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The question of single-sex spaces and services across other Departments was not directly addressed.

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