Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Topical Questions

Wednesday 7 February 2024 · 10 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 6 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Government will consider the ruling carefully and continue to protect Jewish people throughout the country.
  • Of course we join the hon. Gentleman in thanking all those involved in the campaign for making football safe and welcoming for LGBT people.
  • The term 'microaggressions training' was removed from the Government Campus prospectus in November 2022.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Stuart McDonald SNP
Community Security Religion & Faith
Context

The employment tribunal's judgment regarding Professor Miller at Bristol University sparked commentary on the issue of antisemitism, prompting a clarification from the government.

Question

In light of recent commentary about the employment tribunal's judgment concerning Professor Miller and Bristol University, if she will clarify that while academics have the right to express views, they cannot behave in a way that amounts to harassment of Jewish students, as disguising antisemitism under discourse on Israel would not be lawful.

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

The Government will consider the ruling carefully and continue to do all in our power to protect Jewish people throughout our country. The ruling does not change the fact that while academics have the right to express views, they cannot behave in a way that amounts to harassment of Jewish students.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The exact clarification about whether the ruling changes the standing on academic freedom and anti-harassment policies was not explicitly addressed

How: Under Review

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Q2 Stuart McDonald SNP
Women & Equalities
Context

An event marked the start of Football v. Homophobia month, aimed at making football a safe and welcoming sport for LGBT people.

Question

Will Ministers join me in thanking all those involved in the campaign, including LEAP sports and the TIE campaign in Scotland, and offer their wholehearted support for making football a safe and welcoming sport for LGBT people?

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

Of course we join the hon. Gentleman in that. I pay tribute to the work of the Minister for Equalities, who has been very supportive of the campaign—as are all of us in the ministerial team.

Answered
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Q3 Marco Longhi
Context

The question arises from the concern over the increasing use of the term 'microaggression', which is being scrutinized for its utility and necessity in addressing serious criminal behavior.

Question

Given my background as an engineer, I know that 'micro' means something extremely small. Has the Minister a view on this, and does she recognise it as a new phenomenon? How big a priority might it be?

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

I am not a fan of that term, and microaggressions training was removed from the Government Campus prospectus in November 2022.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The question regarding how big a priority this is was avoided

How: Not Addressing The Full Ask

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Q4 Ashley Dalton Lab West Lancashire
Crime & Law Enforcement Democracy & Elections
Context

Police-recorded rapes have soared to record highs under the Conservatives while convictions have fallen to record lows, with recent remarks by a Conservative PCC in Cheshire victim-blaming girls for this trend.

Question

Why are these attitudes still tolerated in the Conservative party? Specifically addressing the claim that police-recorded rapes have increased and rape conviction rates have decreased.

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

Those attitudes are not tolerated in the Conservative party. However, I will push back on what she said about rape statistics. The fact is that, for the year ending March 2023, the crime survey for England and Wales shows a 5.1% reduction in the number of adults experienced domestic abuse.

Not addressed: The specific question on attitudes not being tolerated was avoided by redirecting to overall statistics

How: Redirect, Counter-Argument

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Q5 Anna Firth
NHS Women & Equalities
Context

A letter from the local NHS trust regarding children's services at Southend Hospital used terms like 'birthing people' that are perceived as dehumanizing, confusing and potentially against equality laws.

Question

Can my right hon. Friend clarify whether the term 'birthing people' is required language under the Equality Act 2010? If not, does she agree it should not be used?

Answer from Maria Caulfield

This Conservative Government has been clear that biological sex matters, and language is important too. We have issued guidance to trusts because there is evidence that clinical damage can come with the removal of the use of the term 'woman' from literature. I would be happy to write to my hon. Friend's local trust to point that out.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The necessity under Equality Act was not directly answered, instead providing guidance on biological sex terminology.

How: Providing Alternative Context

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Q6 Marion Fellows SNP
Employment Benefits & Welfare
Context

Scope has noted that changes to the work capability assessment might force disabled people into unsuitable employment, causing concern about huge numbers of people being forced into inappropriate jobs.

Question

What steps is the Minister taking, with her Cabinet colleagues, to ensure that disabled people are not forced into jobs that are not suited to them?

Answer from Mims Davies

The Department for Work and Pensions will always ensure that we listen to the wants and needs of disabled people, ensuring they are never forced into anything not suitable for them.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific steps or actions taken were not detailed in response

How: General Commitment

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Q7 Caroline Dinenage Con Gosport
Policing & Resources Community Security
Context

A local protest is planned against the Lib Dem council's decision to end live CCTV monitoring, with concerns about its impact on people's safety.

Question

Does the Minister agree that women's groups and other community groups in Gosport are correct to stage a peaceful protest about the Lib Dem council's decision to completely end all live CCTV monitoring?

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

I fully understand the campaign and I am glad that my hon. Friend is supporting it. We are doing everything we can in Government to reduce violence against women and girls.

Answered
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Q8 Mohammad Yasin Lab Bedford
Foreign Affairs Women & Equalities
Context

The UK Government has international commitments to address humanitarian needs of women and girls in conflict situations, such as the ones ongoing in Gaza.

Question

Will the UK Government redouble their efforts to ensure that the humanitarian needs of women and girls in Gaza are being addressed, in line with the UK's commitments under various strategies?

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

I am working closely with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office on this issue. We are very concerned about events in both Israel and Gaza and want to see the violence end. We will continue to do everything we can to minimise any impact on women and girls.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific steps or redoubled efforts were not detailed, only general concern expressed.

How: General Commitment

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Q9 David Evennett Con
Business & Trade
Context

The question arises from challenges faced by female-led businesses in accessing necessary financial support.

Question

What steps is my right hon. Friend taking with Cabinet colleagues to help increase the number of female-led businesses?

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

Female-led businesses often face particular challenges, and in the Department for Business and Trade we work with the British Business Bank to ensure that those businesses continue to have access to finance. We have the Investing in Women code and a taskforce for women-led entrepreneurs.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific steps taken by Cabinet colleagues were not addressed, only general support mechanisms mentioned.

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Q10 Cat Smith Lab Lancaster and Wyre
NHS
Context

The Patient Safety Commissioner has released a report today addressing redress options for individuals affected by sodium valproate and mesh.

Question

Will the Minister make a statement about today's report by the Patient Safety Commissioner addressing redress for victims of sodium valproate and mesh?

Answer from Maria Caulfield

The hon. Lady will know that the Government commissioned that report from the Patient Safety Commissioner to look at options for redress, specifically for those affected by sodium valproate, but also for those affected by mesh. The report has been published only today, so we will look at the details closely before reporting back to the House.

Not addressed: The Government's immediate response or statement was not provided as the report was just released.

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