Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

STEM Industries: Female Workforce

Wednesday 5 November 2025 · 2 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 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial funding for the international baccalaureate is being reviewed.
  • The Government is investing 187 million in the TechFirst programme.
  • An Education Minister will discuss the baccalaureate with Alison Bennett.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Kenneth Stevenson Lab Airdrie and Shotts
Science & Technology Women & Equalities
Context

STEM industries are seeing substantial investment due to the Government's embrace of AI, particularly in constituencies like Airdrie and Shotts where data centres are being established. National Engineering Day highlights the importance of vocational training and apprenticeships.

Question

Thanks to this Government embracing AI, constituencies such as Airdrie and Shotts are seeing substantial investment in data centres, which will create jobs and reindustrialise former industrial heartlands. On National Engineering Day, does the Minister agree that this Government’s commitment to vocational training and apprenticeships will open more doors for young women in towns and cities across the country to join the STEM workforce and lead the AI revolution?

Answer from The Minister for Equalities (Seema Malhotra)

My hon. Friend speaks from experience in education, and he is absolutely right. We are investing £187 million in our TechFirst programme to bring digital skills and AI learning into classrooms and communities, while 7.5 million workers are set to gain essential AI skills through our industry partnership. Training will open up opportunities in constituencies such as Airdrie and Shotts, and put women and girls at the centre of the AI revolution.

Answered
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Q2 Alison Bennett Lib Dem Mid Sussex
Education
Context

There is concern over the Government's decision to cut funding for international baccalaureate, a qualification that has been proven effective in retaining girls' interest in STEM subjects.

Question

Does the Minister seriously believe that cutting funding for the international baccalaureate, a qualification that is proven to keep more girls studying STEM subjects, will help increase the number of women entering STEM industries?

Answer from The Minister for Equalities (Seema Malhotra)

An Education Minister will be happy to discuss that with the hon. Lady.

Not addressed: Specific question about funding cuts and its impact on STEM education was not directly addressed, instead deflected to an Education Minister.

How: Redirect

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