Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Women in the Defence Sector

Monday 8 January 2024 · 3 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 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Sarah Dyke thanked the Minister for his response and highlighted initiatives like Leonardo's AeroWomen programme aimed at increasing gender parity in the defence sector.
  • Mark Francois welcomed the new year and noted the importance of procurement policies for women in critical roles within the defence industry.
  • The Minister indicated that a major announcement on procurement is imminent and acknowledged the importance of gender-inclusive practices in equipment procurement, including uniform procurement.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Sarah Dyke Lib Dem Glastonbury and Somerton
Defence Women & Equalities
Context

The question is prompted by the need to assess the progress of women's representation in the UK defence sector, particularly noting initiatives like Leonardo's AeroWomen programme.

Question

I thank the Minister for his response. Many of my constituents work in the defence sector, whether at RNAS Yeovilton, Leonardo in Yeovil or Thales in my constituency. I commend initiatives such as Leonardo's AeroWomen programme, which aims to increase gender parity in the sector, but I am concerned by the barriers that women still face. The women in defence charter aims to have women make up 30% of the UK armed forces by 2030, yet the current number is a meagre 12%. Has the Minister made an assessment in the last quarter of 2023 of the success of the charter since its launch?

Answer from Andrew Murrison

I know all the sites the hon. Lady referred to, and I do understand the issue. She will know that we are actively engaged with the defence suppliers forum to increase the number of women across the defence enterprise, and the target is 30%.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The MP asked for an assessment on the success of the charter since its launch, but the Minister did not provide a specific assessment or data.

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Q2 Sarah Dyke Lib Dem Glastonbury and Somerton
Defence Women & Equalities
Context

The question is prompted by the need to assess the progress of women's representation in the UK defence sector, particularly noting initiatives like Leonardo's AeroWomen programme.

Question

Happy new year to you, Mr Speaker, and to the House. I thank the Minister for his response. Many of my constituents work in the defence sector, whether at RNAS Yeovilton, Leonardo in Yeovil or Thales in my constituency. I commend initiatives such as Leonardo's AeroWomen programme, which aims to increase gender parity in the sector, but I am concerned by the barriers that women still face. The women in defence charter aims to have women make up 30% of the UK armed forces by 2030, yet the current number is a meagre 12%. Has the Minister made an assessment in the last quarter of 2023 of the success of the charter since its launch?

Answer from Andrew Murrison

I know all the sites the hon. Lady referred to, and I do understand the issue. She will know that we are actively engaged with the defence suppliers forum to increase the number of women across the defence enterprise, and the target is 30%.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The MP asked for an assessment on the success of the charter since its launch, but the Minister did not provide a specific assessment or data.

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Q3 Mark Francois Con Rayleigh and Wickford
Defence Women & Equalities
Context

The question is prompted by the need for a clear commitment on procurement reform in the UK defence sector, as Ministers have been indicating that a major announcement will be made soon.

Question

Happy new year, Mr Speaker. Many women undertake critical roles in our defence industry, so the policies by which we procure the equipment they build are very important for them. Ministers have been telling the Defence Committee since before Christmas that we can expect a major announcement on procurement reform in the new year. As we are now in January, can we have a commitment that we will have that announcement by the end of this month, please?

Answer from Andrew Murrison

My right hon. Friend has cunningly got that question in. My understanding is that it is imminent. However, the point on women and procurement is well made, and my right hon. Friend will have observed—I hope with pleasure—the work that has been done, for example, in procuring uniform that actually fits the female form, which was not previously the case.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The MP asked for a commitment on the timing of the announcement, but the Minister did not provide a clear commitment to make the announcement by the end of January.

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