Live Women and Equalities Questions House of Commons

intervene, particularly in respect to the contempt of court act, 1981,

and detailed guidelines are available on the CPS website.

Questions to the Minister for women and equality is, Mr Stephen

Patterson. Number one. With permission I will answer questions

one and 12 together. The Prime Minister has set out challenging

government targets to increase opportunities by 2020, including

apprenticeships, employment, recruitment in the police and armed

services. The Scottish Government has launched a programme integrating

refugees in Scotland's communities, ensuring they have every opportunity

to rebuild their lives. What similar initiatives has the UK Government

taken to support refugees and fight racism? I know that my honourable

friend for Watford, who works across departments, DC LG, the Home Office,

is working extremely hard to support refugees in a very similar way to

the one that he mentions. Research suggests that people with ethnic

sounding names have to make twice the number of job applications as

white Britons to get job interviews. Will he therefore discuss with the

Business Secretary and others how to strengthen guidance to companies on

the recruitment practices? I agree. My right honourable friend

the Prime Minister has made a significant commitment in this area.

Many of the country's top employers, including the civil service, are

committing to recruitment processes and UCAS will be making university

applications from 2017. I join my honourable friend in congratulating

the government on introducing name blind to recruitment in this double

service and NHS. Will he turn me in encouraging other large companies

across UK to follow suit? I thank my right honourable friend for that

question. He is right, we should certainly be encouraging companies

across the country, not just FTSE 100 companies who seem to making

significant efforts on this now, we should be looking to all companies,

large and small, to look at diversity and how they can make that

improvement. People from BME backgrounds make up 26% of

apprenticeship applications, but only 9.6% of the total taken up.

What is the Minister doing to improve these disappointing

statistics? I would say that apprenticeships are extremely

important parts of this government's agenda. We have a target of 3

million apprenticeship starts during this Parliament. And within that,

the Prime Minister has set out a commitment that this government will

ensure 20% of those apprenticeship start-ups offer BME young people,

which is a great step forward. The Prime Minister, as we have

heard, has set a goal that in this respect of increasing by 20% the

number of BME students in higher education, in our new guidelines to

fair access to be published on the 11th of every, we ask him to

maximise the contribution. The share of BME enrolments of the UK's

institutions has risen by just over 20% to 23% between 2009 and 2015.

And expenditure to widen acceptance will reach 746,000,020 17, up from

444,000,020 11. -- 746 million, in 2017, up from 44 million, in 2011.

Can the Minister take steps to ensure the government comes forward

with new eligibility criteria as a matter of agency, to ensure all

young people have the opportunity to make the most of their talents this

academic year? What I can say is he seems to make a good point, which

I'm more than happy to discuss with the Home Office and I see one

development ministers is already here. I welcome what the Minister

has said English late into the figures of applications. Does the

Minister agree with me that we must not take our eye off the ball on

other routes, most also encourage BME students to take courses such as

apprenticeships and have equal status in those roots? I agree, one

of the things I've seen with great success in Nottingham is the huge

power of mentors and the roles they play, not just for BME youngsters,

but for women, and there is excellent work, good evidence of the

importance of mentors. I would encourage all members of this place

to go out and make the case, make sure in our own schools everything

is being done to make sure there's fairness and equality. The research

shows that while BME students are overrepresented in university

entrance figures, they tend to be in the post-92 new universities, and

this week we heard the Russell group universities are per at doing

outreach during Courage students from disadvantaged backgrounds to

apply for their universities -- disadvantaged students. Compared to

the US. Will the Minister John Whitney in seeking to address this

issue -- will the Minister join with me. I'm grateful the Secretary of

State education, he makes the point that the London Academy of

excellence is a good example. My nearest university in and not in

them, like many universities, makes positive opportunities to get in all

other schools, to make sure all peoples have every opportunity. And

to aim high. The government talks the talk of

encouraging more black and minority students into universities, yet

their recent decision to scrap maintenance grants will

disproportionately affect those students. This is according to their

own impact assessment. Does the Minister believe that this

disproportionate impact is acceptable? I have to say I'm not

familiar with the impact assessment. I'm quite surprised by it. I

reiterate the point, it's imperative that we make it very clear that

everybody should aim high. That is what we want to do, that is what we

seek to do. The employment rate for women is at

a record high, and the gender pay gap is at a record low. The

government is committed to enabling women and men to fulfil their

economic potential. That sounds very nice, but with women being

overrepresented in sectors where low pay is prominent and persistent,

what is the government doing to tackle extended occupational

segregation? I am sure the honourable lady will welcome the

fact that in a couple of months, 65% of the people who will benefit from

the new national living wage will in fact be women, and that this is a

very important step this government is taken to raise pay for the loan

was paid in our country. I don't doubt my honourable friend's

commitment to reducing the gender pay gap further, and I commend the

Prime Minister of his position too. The reality is that my contingency

women face a gender pay gap of 30%. Shouldn't this be on the agenda of

every single company throughout the country and our local enterprise

partnerships? She will be aware whether interest in this matter that

not only are we taken steps to publish this information for

companies that have more than 250 people on the payroll, but also in

the sector of financial services where, as economic Secretary, I

engage the most, which is the highest-paid sector with the biggest

pay gap, we have actually appointed a woman to do a review on the pay

and a sector come to see what further steps we can do. As might

write a noble friend, the Prime Minister, says, it is transparency

-- right honourable friend. These can end the gender pay gap.

Campaigners aren't going away, so will the Minister raised the issue

of better state pension arrangements for women with her counterpart?

These women fair play? What I would say it a woman whose state pension

age has garnered six years, I welcome these changes that equalise

the state pension age. It will end the discrimination of women in their

late 50s, that has prevented far too many of them reaching the higher

paid roles in our society. What is the government doing to reduce the

economic inequality which is caused by gender differences in lighting

section C? -- life expectancy. We are putting more money into the NHS

do ensure everyone benefits from the good health care that has resulted

in one of the remarkable features of our age, which is that people are

living much longer, people of both genders are living longer, and we

should welcome that. Women's under participation in the labour market

costing UK economy ?600 billion in lost productivity, according to

their own analysis. Wilbur minister guarantee that the forthcoming

budget will reverse universal credits -- will the budget. Will she

ask a colleague, the Chancellor, to stop introducing a series of

measures which in penalising women? I'm afraid the honourable lady, who

was Mike Twain, is in fact completely wrong -- my twin. We are

extending the free child care offered to so many people, we are

bringing in tax free childcare for many people. I share her aspiration

to unleash the economic potential of women in our economy. The OECD has

said if the participation rates in terms of men and women were

equalise, the economy would be 10% larger, so we are taken steps to

encourage that to happen. I welcome the draft agenda page gap reporting,

and while I understand the reasons why the government would not want to

put in enforcement procedures for noncompliance, with the Minister say

it will be kept under review, does she agree it would be

counter-productive for companies not to comply to new regulations? I

think the honourable gentleman makes a good point. I welcome his support

this initiative, it is a voluntary scheme, we are trying to change the

culture and transparency. It will mean women will be able to make the

choice, if they're going to work for a company. Can I see how this

company treats and and women? At a time when we have record employment

for women, women have more choices. The government has already announced

?40 million of funding for domestic abuse services between 2016 and

2020. As well as a ?2 million grant for women's eight. We will shortly

publish a refreshed files against women's strategy, setting out how we

will do more to secure long-term funding for domestic violence

services and support for victims. I return to the question of long-term

funding, which is so important. I raised it in January, and the

Minister said she was holding discussions with service providers.

How those discussions progressing and when will we see an open? Can we

know who is involved in those discussions? I should make it clear

that central government funding for domestic abuse services has not been

cut for supper I want to make it clear that no confusion over that

matter. The issue is about services. I have been having discussions with

local commissioners and service providers, and I will be issuing the

strategy soon. The Prime Minister said in January 20 14th he would

ratify the Convention as soon as the UK ban marriages. This came in June

2014, so can the Minister explain the delay? There is an issue with

article 44 of this convention, which is on exit teratoma -- territorial.

When we have cleared that point, we will ratify it. The government has

set out an assessment of the impacts of the policies of the welfare bill.

Every government policy change is considered in line with legal

obligations. The ISS found that with working lone parents, those of

assets were more likely to lose under Universal Credit. With single

parents being female, it appears to me the government's programme is

once again targeting women. What representations is she making about

the impact of Universal Credit? I come back to my previous comment, we

are fully assessing the impacts of equality measures of the bill and of

course we are meeting our wired obligations. To his point on

Universal Credit, Universal Credit, he will know, supports people in

employment and that applies equally to women, alongside all the

additional measures we are putting in place, such as the introducing of

the national wage and measures we are bringing in with increased

childcare. The Minister will be aware that women's aid groups have

expressed you as concerns that changes to housing benefit could

force the closure of many refuges. Wilbur minister challenge her

colleagues in the DWP to exempt refugees from those changes, to

protect runnable women In conjunction with many discussions

we have with stakeholders, we take on board all considerations and that

is what the department will do in its dialogue with third-party

organisations. We know that women affected by the changes to the

retirement age and ministers have met on the subject of pension

reform. The changes have been subject to many discussions, and the

position has been made clear. Yes, and it is cloth eared in listening

to the women affected by the pension changes. If she had been sitting on

those benches yesterday during the debate on providing transitional

protection for women affected by pensions changes, she would have

heard members of her own party and members of every party here quote in

individual women who had been impoverished by these changes. When

will the government begin to listen? I did listen to the debate. Let's be

clear about this. The government has listened to the extensive concerns

that have even raised in this House. I would like to remind the House

that concessions worth over ?1 billion were introduced to reduce

the impact of the changes on those worst affected. The last government

introduce changes following extensive debates in both Houses of

Parliament. It is important to emphasise that the government has

made difficult but necessary decisions in speeding up the

timetable for this. Women born in 1953 and 1954 are particularly badly

affected by these changes. Many of them went into work at the age of 15

and will have to work over years now for accessing the pension. Will the

government have another look at this? There are things that can be

done if the political will is there. The government has been listening

extensively to the concerns, and working with and also pension

organisations. I reiterate that the government has made concessions of

?1 billion which have been introduced to reduce the impact of

the changes. The apprentice national minimum wage applies equally to all

apprentices. From October last year, the rate increased by 21%, to ?3.30

per hour. If I may say this, all of us call into schools, and one of the

great things we can do is to sing out about things like the

apprenticeship scheme, make it very clear that it is not confined to

boys. What is on paper and what the reality is is very different. The

reality is that female apprentices earned ?4.82 per hour, compared to

?5.85. Another survey said that we have an ?8,400 difference in those

areas of work which women are higher, here dressing etc, compared

to men. -- here hairdressing. If people are being

discriminated because of this, I want to know about it and we will

sort it out. Can she assure me that older women are getting a fair deal

when it comes to apprenticeships. Can we use these to enable return to

work around caring responsibilities and look carefully at the

engineering and construction sectors to make sure they are open to all.

She makes a really important point. When it comes to those particular

sectors, the Secretary of State and I are extremely keen to make sure we

use every single opportunity and anything available to us to make the

case that younger women in particular must go into these sorts

of excellent work streams. We know we need to do more, we all have our

part to play and that includes government. Given the apprenticeship

gender pay gap for women stands at around ?2000 per year, with the

Minister share my that this is where the gender pay gap begins, and can

she explain why the government's new apprenticeship scheme does not

include provision or targets for women? What message does this send

out? It will apply to all the people it should, which is mainly

employers, but also looking at providers to make sure that not only

the quality of apprentices is good, but that we get everybody and

anybody applying for apprenticeships, and whatever your

background or ethnicity does not matter at all. We need to have a

positive case to make sure that more women going to apprenticeships,

particularly the high-quality ones. Should be no barrier. Unpaid carers

are the backbone of our society, which is why they 2014 year act gave

new rates that focus on their well-being and give them support. We

have also invested ?1.6 million in a series of pilots to look at the best

ways we can support those who have caring responsibilities. I have been

visiting care homes who are facing unprecedented challenges. Does she

agree that there is a greater burden on older carers who do valuable

work. Can she tell the House what measures she will put in place to

help these older carers get back into appointment when the care

duties come to an end? I absolutely agree. Unpaid carers are the unsung

heroes of our economy, the value of care is ?62 billion a year, and this

is literally a labour of love these carers. So we have extended the rate

for flexible working and the is looking at the way we can look at

Bashar looking at the way we can best do this. -- looking at the way

we can do this. One of my constituents plan to retire and care

for her elderly mother, but she now finds her retirement date will be

later than planned. Does the Minister understand what problems

these pension changes are giving? I do understand the concerns there are

horrendous, but she must remember that the new state pension will give

650,000 women and average increase of ?416 a year on the pension, and

additionally support those who take time out of employment, for example

for caring roles, are doing this important work. We are absolutely

committed to supporting them to start the on business. I am proud

that Britain has been named the best place in Europe for female

entrepreneurs. The programme enables them to take advantage of

technology, to start or grow the Roman business, and we are running

nationwide sessions to give female entrepreneurs access to the right

support. Unemployment is at record levels, and women since 2009 have

accounted for over 50% of the increase in self-employment. Will

she joined me in welcoming the new review into self-employment, and

work with colleagues to take forward recommendations that will help women

set up businesses and thrive in them? Julie Dean is an inspiring

example of this e-mail entrepreneurs we have in the UK, and leaders

contribute 25 million to the UK economy. I know the honourable

gentleman has been involved in recommendations, and they will be

considered very carefully. Can I ask the Minister to face the House. They

understand the Speaker was behind her, but face the House. For women

who choose a career in business, I understand that businesses have

employed Philip Hammond and to increase the number of women in UK

Border Force. I wondered why the Minister thought appointing this man

was the right thing to do for this particular job? Because he's

excellent! We have to get away from the supposition that this is just a

women's problem. This is a problem for everyone, and businesses all

need to address this issue, which is why we need to have excellent people

reading this investigation and making sure it is all done as fully

as it can be. Whether online or off-line, all forms of bullying at

unacceptable, so we are investing ?2 million to support schools address

homophobic bullying more addictively. My department is

supporting Stonewall's initiative to stop this in schools. Stonewall's...

Did the honourable gentleman see my answer because we can firmly agree.

I mentioned the ?2 million project we are funding, Stonewall are very

much one of those, as are the Anne Frank trust, Barnardos, and others.

They are all doing an excellent job. We are committed to closing the

gender pay gap within a generation, and this is important not only for

women, but for business prosperity and the health of the UK economy.

That is why we are requiring from next April large employers to

publish the gender pay gap and why we have been working closely with

business to deliver this. Will she joined me in commending the Scottish

Government for delaying recommendations in Holyrood to

extend the requirement to public authorities, with more than 20

employees, to publish information on their gender pay gap and pay

statements? Yes, we are always happy to take on board information from

anywhere, and we will announce what we're going to be doing the gender

pay gap. -- in terms of public sector. As a father of a growing

number of daughters, it is important to me that women can enjoy the same

level of career advancement as men, which they clearly do not. Many

experts and leading chief officers of leading companies believe the

leading indicator is not the gender pay gap, but career advancement for

women. Did we look into major companies and report the percentage

of men and women at every stage within their organisation, to change

the culture? This legislation will require businesses to show how many

people are at every different sector of their organisation. But he is

right, this starts from the beginning, where girls are given the

right careers advice as to which business and set they should go

into. We need to get away that there are girls jobs are boys jobs. There

are just jobs. I have asked parliamentary questions to every

department regarding gender pay gap is, and every department in

government has gender pay gap is. Public sector employers will be

required to publish the gender pay gap. Nobody will be left unaffected

by this. Is the legislation broad enough to help a constituent of mine

who separated from her boyfriend recently, and she now has a

-- a to let sign outside her House because she is on a 0-hours

contracts at sports direct. I think that is disgraceful. I would like to

see legislation to ensure that people who operate 0-hours contracts

will not put her in jeopardy, and people like. Unlike the Labour Party

before us, we have taken steps to address this. People who use these

contracts will be included as part of the legislation. Science and

maths A-level entries increased by 12,005 years. The government is

determined to encourage... By 2020 we want to see a 20% increase in

girl entries in size and maths, and we will have a range of support to

schools. There are some fantastic stem

schools in my region, including Atwood Academy, which I visited

recently and another I visited with the Secretary of State. Will she

join me in praising these schools which are helping pupils consider

careers in stem by finding imaginative ways by showing pupils

the possibilities of STEM, participating in workshops. Can I

thank my honourable friend and I welcome the opportunity to join her

in praising those groups in their work in Stem. I was impressed in my

visit to see how they engage pupils in Stem, science and maths, and how

they promote Stem to pupils. I am sure the whole house will agree that

Stem provides rewarding and fantastic career opportunities for

women and girls but studies show that without some personal

experience of Stem careers, girls are unlikely to consider them

seriously. So why has her Government abolished face-to-face careers

advice and made work experience something girls have to make

themselves? Will she bring back mandatory work experience? We are

going to go much further, Mr Speaker, because we have introduced

and are funding the and enterprise company, investing ?70 million over

the course of this Parliament to make sure that young men and women

are inspired by those coming into the schools, by work experience

opportunities, by finding out more, by the future programme. We have

been discussing the gender pay gap and I think it is worth noting that

those working in science or technological careers are paid on

average 19% more than other professions, so I can think we can

all agree we want more girls to go into science and tech careers.

The Government is investing an extra one billion plan by 2020 to help

hard-working families with the Jost of Kyle grid childcare, including

doubling the amount for three and four-year-olds. Tax-free childcare

will benefit around 2 million families, up to ?2000 per child and

many families will be able to claim 85% of childcare costs through

Universal Credit. Can I thank the Secretary of State for the extra ?30

million made available to councils like mine in Staffordshire to roll

out this childcare plan sooner. Does she agree this will help thousands

of hard-working families across the country? And will she particularly

look at what can be done to help families with disabled children and

children with special needs? I thank my honourable friend very much

indeed, he is right to say we are investing more in childcare.

Tax-free childcare, the amounts if you have a disabled child, it is

?4000 per child and of course, in the course of this last Parliament

and this, we are now rolling out the education and health care plans for

children and those aged 0- 25 with more complex dates and we are very

clear that our childcare needs mean providers have to cater more bag of

loot properly that those children with special needs. -- properly. Mr

Speaker, the financial Secretary to the Treasury has written to the

European Commission and other member states are setting out our strong

view that member states should have full discretion over what rate of

VAT they can apply to these products and this should be considered in the

context of the commission's action plan on VAT, which we expect to be

published in March this year. Frankly, I think a lot of women

across this country will be rather disappointed with the minister's

response. Will she guarantee that the Prime Minister or the Chancellor

will personally come back to this House with a statement once the

commission have responded to our request, so the public know where we

stand before the referendum takes place? Well, of course, the

Government does believe that this is something where we want to take

action and I am sure that she will welcome the fact that the Chancellor

has already announced a new ?50 million annual fund to support

women's charities -- ?15 million, that is for the interim while we

tackle this on a unanimous basis across Europe. Urgent question, Mr

Alex Cunningham. To ask the Minister to make a statement about assistance

from the EU Solidarity fund for flood