Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Gender and Racial Inequality in the Workplace

Wednesday 12 July 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 0 Partly answered 5 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Government have taken steps to tackle gender and racial inequality in the workplace through the 'Inclusive Britain' strategy and a voluntary inclusion confidence scheme.
  • This Government has done much to promote gender equality by implementing shared parental leave and extending redundancy protection for those on maternity leave.
  • The Minister raised concerns about AI bias in recruitment and employment with Cabinet colleagues, including a meeting with the Government chief scientific officer.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Anum Qaisar
Women & Equalities
Context

The question arises from concerns over gender and racial disparities in employment opportunities.

Question

What steps is the Government taking to help tackle gender and racial inequality in the workplace?

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

The Government have taken numerous steps including the 'Inclusive Britain' strategy, supporting employers with clear advice on diversity and inclusion interventions. We are also working towards a new voluntary inclusion confident scheme to support employers in effective diversity and inclusion measures.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific initiatives or actions beyond general strategies.

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Q2 Hannah Bardell SNP
Women & Equalities
Context

A report by Pregnant Then Screwed highlights the inadequacy of current parental leave policies in promoting gender equality.

Question

Research shows better-paid parental leave would improve labour market equality. Why is the Government blocking greater gender equality through their parental leave policy?

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

This Government has done much to promote gender equality including shared parental leave, extended redundancy protection for those on maternity leave, carer's leave, and strengthening protections against workplace harassment.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address why the government opposes better-paid parental leave policies.

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Q3 Anum Qaisar
Women & Equalities
Context

A report from the Fawcett Society reveals that mothers with two children earn significantly less than women without children, compounding racial disparities.

Question

Will the UK Government tackle the motherhood pay penalty by making flexible working mandatory and introducing gender and ethnicity pay gap reporting?

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

We have introduced a right to ask for flexible working, which strikes a balance for business. We are not making it mandatory but rather supporting the right to request it.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to introducing gender and ethnicity pay gap reporting or mandatory flexible working.

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Q4 Maria Miller Con
Women & Equalities
Context

Concerns about racial discrimination in the workplace are raised by local residents and addressed through initiatives with employers, education authorities, and healthcare providers.

Question

What is my right hon. Friend doing to ensure that public services exemplify race equality in the workplace?

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

Our 'Inclusive Britain' strategy focuses on promoting racial equality in the public sector through fair and transparent measures, adhering to the Equality Act 2010. We welcome collaboration with local initiatives for specific actions.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide concrete examples of actions or progress.

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Q5 Kirsten Oswald SNP
Science & Technology Women & Equalities
Context

Studies indicate that new technologies such as artificial intelligence can perpetuate biases across various demographic factors.

Question

What recent assessment has the Minister made on the equalities impact of AI use in recruitment and employment? Has this been discussed with Cabinet colleagues?

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

I raised concerns about AI bias with Cabinet colleagues recently, including a meeting with the Government chief scientific officer. We are looking at datasets and large language models used by AI but note that equality impact assessments apply mainly to public sector duties.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific recent assessment findings or concrete action plans.

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