Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Future Earnings: Impact of Socioeconomic Disadvantage

Wednesday 18 December 2024 · 10 questions

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

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 6 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Minister agrees tackling regional income inequalities is crucial for promoting social mobility.
  • Government is tackling period poverty through measures like boosting the living wage and investing in public services.
  • Government plans to review and improve paternity leave policies to better support working families.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 David Williams Lab Stoke-on-Trent North
Context

Research shows socioeconomic background impacts future earnings. Median pay in Stoke-on-Trent is nearly £70 less per week than the England average.

Question

There is a clear link between low household income and poorer educational outcomes leading to reduced future earnings. In Stoke-on-Trent, median pay is nearly £70 less per week than the England average. Does the Minister agree that tackling regional income inequalities is critical if we are to promote social mobility and enable all people to succeed in life?

Answer from Bridget Phillipson

I agree with my hon. Friend that it is absolutely crucial that we take action on regional inequalities. He champions that cause very strongly on his constituents' behalf. We have set out an ambitious plan for the future of the minimum wage, and we are taking action to ensure that all workers receive more money in their pockets to spend. More children than ever arrive at school with support, so by the end of reception they are ready for the next stage.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specifically address regional income inequalities or provide concrete actions beyond general principles

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Context

Research shows one in five women and girls experience period poverty, leading to a gender-based injustice costing £3.3 billion annually in lost work.

Question

The Bloody Good Period campaign research reveals that one in five women and girls experiences period poverty, causing a further gender penalty beyond socioeconomic disadvantage. This costs the UK billions (£3.3 billion) in annual lost work. What is the Government doing to tackle period poverty? Are there plans for the taskforce on this issue to reconvene?

Answer from Bridget Phillipson

We are tackling root causes of poverty through measures like boosting the living wage, investing in public services so no one goes without essentials. There are great programmes supporting women with period products in education settings.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify any concrete plans or actions regarding period poverty taskforce reconvening

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Context

One in five fathers does not take paternity leave due to financial inadequacy, driving family inequality and increasing the gender pay gap.

Question

Proper paternity and maternity pay are essential for breaking links between current income and future life opportunities. Currently, one in five fathers does not take available paternity leave because it is financially inadequate. This drives family inequality, increases the gender pay gap as women pick up caring responsibilities, and lowers household income. Does the Minister agree that parental leave is crucial? What actions are Ministers considering to better support parents and families?

Answer from Bridget Phillipson

I strongly agree that we want to give families more choices. Through the Employment Rights Bill, we will make paternity leave available from day one in a new job and enable it after shared parental leave. We will review the system to better support working families.

Answered

Not addressed: null

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Q4 Natasha Irons Lab Croydon East
Context

Research highlights a stark class pay gap, with professionals from working-class backgrounds earning on average 12% less than their more privileged counterparts in the same roles. Few large organisations monitor socioeconomic background.

Question

Independent research shows a significant class pay gap of 12%, affecting workers from lower socioeconomic backgrounds who find it difficult to get higher-skilled jobs. Despite this, few large organisations monitor socioeconomic data. Will the Minister consider mandating larger organisations to monitor socioeconomic backgrounds to highlight social mobility?

Answer from Bridget Phillipson

I share my hon. Friend's concern and we are committed to enacting the socioeconomic duty of the Equality Act 2010, providing more information in due course. I encourage businesses and organisations to collect data where possible.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not confirm specific plans for mandating monitoring by larger organisations

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Q5 David Williams Lab Stoke-on-Trent North
Context

Low household income links to poorer educational outcomes and reduced future earnings. Stoke-on-Trent median pay is nearly £70 less per week than the England average.

Question

Merry Christmas, Mr Speaker. There's a clear link between low household income and poor educational outcomes leading to lower future earnings. In Stoke-on-Trent, median pay is nearly £70 less per week compared to the England average. Does tackling regional income inequalities promote social mobility and enable all people to succeed in life?

Answer from Bridget Phillipson

I agree it's crucial we take action on regional inequalities. He champions this strongly. We have an ambitious minimum wage plan, taking steps to ensure workers receive more money in their pockets.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific actions for tackling regional income inequalities beyond general support

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Q6 John Glen Con Salisbury
Context

Vincent Keaveny, a recent Lord Mayor of the City of London, highlighted data collection processes that do not need to be expensive.

Question

In the City of London, ensuring maximum people from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds get into the industry is crucial. Recently met Vincent Keaveny, who made significant progress understanding data collection does not have to be expensive. Will the Secretary of State contact her ministerial colleagues and the Financial Conduct Authority about this opportunity?

Answer from Bridget Phillipson

I am more than happy to do that. I congratulate the right hon. Gentleman on his work, as it is a cause we can all get behind.

Answered

Not addressed: null

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Context

Women are far more likely to reduce working hours or leave work entirely to look after loved ones, putting them at a financial disadvantage.

Question

Women carers significantly reducing working hours or giving up jobs for loved ones puts them in a financial disadvantage. Does the Secretary of State agree that introducing free personal care and reforming social care would keep more women in work longer?

Answer from Bridget Phillipson

I understand the hon. Lady's important point. Increased carer's allowance threshold delivered a big boost, but challenges remain. Health Secretary is taking action to transform social care.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to Lib Dem policy on free personal care and reforming social care specifically

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Q8 Alison Griffiths Con Bognor Regis and Littlehampton
Context

The Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill was introduced to the House, aiming to reverse school reforms that have improved English children's performance in international league tables.

Question

How can the Government possibly say they want to break down barriers to opportunity when they are reversing reforms that have transformed the lives of the most disadvantaged students?

Answer from Bridget Phillipson

I am determined to drive high and rising standards right across our schools system. One in four disadvantaged children leave primary school without reaching a good standard in English and maths, one in five are persistently absent from school, and we inherited a special educational needs and disabilities system in crisis.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific plans to support disadvantaged students despite reversing reforms were not addressed

How: I Do Not Know Which Bill The Hon. Lady Has Been Reading

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Context

Low-earning women are less likely to have sufficient private pensions compared to their male counterparts.

Question

Is the decision that governmental responsibility ends when working age ends due to low-earning women being far less likely to accumulate sufficient private pensions?

Answer from Bridget Phillipson

The hon. Lady raises an important point about some of the differences in pensions. I am more than happy to pick that up with the relevant Minister to ensure she receives a full response.

Not addressed: No direct answer or specific information on gender disparity in pension accumulation was provided

How: I Am More Than Happy To Pick That Up With The Relevant Minister

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Q10 Mims Davies Con East Grinstead and Uckfield
Context

Hospitality workers include 17% who are disabled, 20% from ethnic minority groups, and over 54% women. Increased costs due to higher business rates could drive down future earnings.

Question

What conversations have taken place between the Secretary of State and the Chancellor on the impact of increased business rates and £3.4 billion in additional costs on future hospitality sector earnings?

Answer from Bridget Phillipson

The hon. Lady knows as well as I do that the Government inherited a £22 billion black hole from the Conservative party. We have had to make some difficult decisions in order to stabilise our economy and get it back on track.

Not addressed: Specific details about conversations with the Chancellor were not addressed

How: The Hon. Lady Knows As Well As I Do That The Government Inherited A £22 Billion Black Hole From The Conservative Party

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