Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Women and Equality: North of England

05 November 2024 · 1 other contributor · 3,533 words

Opened by Mary Foy Lab City of Durham

Responding minister: Not recorded

Women & Equalities

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Mary Foy raised concerns about women and equality: north of england in Westminster Hall. Response awaited from government.

Key points

  • Women in the north of England face lower employment rates and higher poverty levels compared to other regions.
  • Women in this region experience poorer health outcomes and earn significantly less than the national average.
  • The economic cost due to disability and long-term sickness for women in the north is approximately 0.4 billion per annum.

Key requests to Government

The Labour Government should introduce a national health inequalities strategy that convenes Government Departments to address wider determinants of health. The Treasury should consider targeted support for pregnant women and improving childcare services. Local government should deliver more support through careers hubs for disadvantaged youth and invest in adult education budget increases specific to the north.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Mary Foy Lab City of Durham

Women in the north of England face significant inequalities compared to other regions, including lower employment rates, higher poverty levels, and poorer health outcomes. They are more likely to work longer hours for less pay, live in worse health conditions, be unpaid carers, and have fewer qualifications. The economic cost due to disability and long-term sickness is around £0.4 billion per annum, with women earning significantly less than the national average. Additionally, the region has higher rates of absolute child poverty, more women providing unpaid care, lower life expectancy for girls born in the north, and increased risks during pregnancy and reproductive health.

Other contributors (1)
  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    Jim Shannon commended the hon. Lady for bringing forward the issue of women's employment in the North of England, highlighting an anomaly where there are two and a half times more self-employed men than women. He stressed that childcare costs are a significant barrier to opportunity, with some families paying as much for childcare as they do for their mortgage.

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