Topical Questions 2020-11-25
2020-11-25
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
Requesting information on measures being taken to tackle FGM globally.
While the global focus has been on dealing with the coronavirus pandemic, other important issues also need our attention, particularly the rising rates of female genital mutilation. What measures is my right hon. Friend taking to tackle FGM internationally?
My hon. Friend makes a very good point. We are continuing with UK Aid supported programmes on FGM, which have already helped 10,000 communities according to the UN Population Fund.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
Concern over funding levels and available beds for women fleeing domestic violence.
Today is the international day for the elimination of violence against women. The latest Office for National Statistics figures show that 1.6 million women experienced domestic abuse last year. Since the pandemic began, domestic abuse has intensified and women have reported finding it harder to escape. Yet 10 years of sustained cuts to services have left just 4,000 beds available for women who are fleeing domestic violence. It is obvious that the funding provided so far is too little too late, so can the Minister say when the Government will adequately fund services and give women the confidence they need, so that they will be protected by this Government?
We have provided an extra £76 million to support vulnerable people including domestic abuse victims and a further £11 million recently made available to support domestic abuse services as they continue to manage the impacts of the pandemic.
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Assessment & feedback
Too Little Too Late
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
Request to restart gender pay gap reporting.
The gender pay gap is still sitting at around 15%. At the current rate of progress, more than 8 million women working today will retire before they see equal pay. This sends a message to women that this Government are happy to turn back the clock on women's equal pay. I am going to ask the Minister a straightforward question, yes or no: will she restart gender pay gap reporting in April next year?
Our focus is on helping women during the coronavirus crisis through the furlough scheme, flexible working and childcare support available, and getting more women into jobs. My view is that we need to address the causes of the gender pay gap including getting more girls and women studying STEM subjects.
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Assessment & feedback
Restarting gender pay gap reporting in April
Focus On Helping Women During Crisis
Response accuracy
Q4
Direct Answer
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Context
Request for information on steps taken to support disability employment protections.
The impact of the pandemic on unemployment is being felt in every constituency. It is more important than ever to ensure that those living with disabilities are treated equally in the recruitment process, so what steps is my right hon. Friend taking to ensure that protections that support equality throughout the recruitment process stay prominent as we focus now on recovery?
As part of our £30 billion plan for jobs, disability provision is embedded throughout our schemes including kick-start, job entry targeted support scheme, sector-based academies, apprenticeships, the health and work programme, intensive personalised employment support and access to work. We remind employers that they must focus on ability under the Equality Act 2010.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
Request for Secretary of State to attend an event on decolonizing the British curriculum.
I will be hosting a national group of experts on decolonising the British curriculum in January 2021. Will the Secretary of State attend that event to listen to the expert testimonies from the academics regarding this important issue?
I thank the hon. Gentleman for his question. We do not accept the premise that the curriculum in this country is colonised. While I am always interested in hearing viewpoints about how we can improve the curriculum, there are certain premises that we simply will not accept.
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Assessment & feedback
Not Accepting Premise
Response accuracy
Q6
Direct Answer
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Context
Requesting information on steps taken to improve access to these services.
What recent steps has the Secretary of State taken with Cabinet colleagues to improve access to sexual and reproductive health services for young people during the covid-19 outbreak?
Sexual and reproductive health services have remained open during the pandemic. Services are maintaining access through scaling up of online services, local pathways for urgent referral including via young people's outreach should be maintained according to guidance from the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q7
Partial Answer
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Context
Request for steps to ensure compliance in future legislation.
The EHRC report on the hostile environment released today shows just how bad the situation has been over the years. It is clear that the EHRC does not have the capacity to launch an inquiry into every piece of legislation that has had its equality compliance questioned. Will the Minister explain what steps are being taken to ensure that future legislation is not labelled as complying with the public sector duty when it so clearly does not?
It is very important that we conduct equality impact assessments, but it is also important that they are kept confidential within the Government to ensure there is not a chilling effect and we can have an honest debate about achieving equality across all Departments.
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Assessment & feedback
Confidentiality
Response accuracy
Q8
Partial Answer
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Context
More than half a million new babies were born during the first lockdown. Many women faced significant challenges balancing childcare with returning to work.
My right hon. Friend will be aware that more than half a million new babies were born during the first lockdown. What assessment has she made for the many women who have had to struggle with juggling childcare responsibilities with going back to work during this very difficult year?
First, I congratulate my right hon. Friend on her important work leading the early years healthy development review. I completely agree that we need to ensure that people are protected during the lockdown and that they are helped, as we recover from covid, to find better childcare options and better flexible working options. I am working closely with the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy to achieve that.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific assessment or concrete measures regarding challenges faced by women balancing childcare and returning to work were not provided.
Response accuracy