0:00:00 > 0:00:01authorities.The man has exceeded supply as is common place and we
0:00:01 > 0:00:07must now move on, questions to the Minister for women's under Harrison.
0:00:07 > 0:00:13Question number one Mr Speaker.The Minister for women and equality is,
0:00:13 > 0:00:19Amber Rudd.Thank you Mr Speaker, it is good news that women now account
0:00:19 > 0:00:23for over half of all apprenticeships. We continue to
0:00:23 > 0:00:25implement apprentice ship reforms to improve the quality of
0:00:25 > 0:00:29apprenticeships were all. We are using the apply in pressured ships
0:00:29 > 0:00:35debited to network two championship greater improvement and
0:00:35 > 0:00:40participation from women is still needed.Extremely interesting but I
0:00:40 > 0:00:43think the minister was seeking to greet this question with numbers
0:00:43 > 0:00:54three and 12? That means yes. Good. I thank the Secretary of State for
0:00:54 > 0:00:57her response, the National College for Nicola Robinson my neighbouring
0:00:57 > 0:01:01constituency on the 9th of February, this will add to the already
0:01:01 > 0:01:07fantastic asset of trading facilities with world-class
0:01:07 > 0:01:10facilities Dara Khosrowshahi equipment, what steps is the
0:01:10 > 0:01:14government taking to ensure young people with disabilities are able to
0:01:14 > 0:01:20access the training courses and apprenticeships?I thank my
0:01:20 > 0:01:24honourable friend for her question, it is great news that colleges
0:01:24 > 0:01:29opening shortly enabling young people and others in the area to be
0:01:29 > 0:01:31able to access the sort of education they need to provide the skills
0:01:31 > 0:01:36going into the future. We want to insure apprenticeship opportunities
0:01:36 > 0:01:39are open to all people and of course that includes those with
0:01:39 > 0:01:43disabilities. We provide additional funding to employers and training
0:01:43 > 0:01:47providers working with apprentices with disabilities including to
0:01:47 > 0:01:51support learning and enable adjustments to the workplace. As
0:01:51 > 0:02:01well as engaging employers through the apprenticeship diversity
0:02:01 > 0:02:03champions network we are working to ensure disability confident badging
0:02:03 > 0:02:05is clear for vacancies only find an apprenticeship website including
0:02:05 > 0:02:11engineering roles.DfEE College and the University in Chichester offer
0:02:11 > 0:02:15courses giving young people in my constituency access to high-quality
0:02:15 > 0:02:22apprenticeships but only 21% of places for degree level up
0:02:22 > 0:02:28friendships in our filled by women. Can my right honourable friend
0:02:28 > 0:02:31advise which is doing to encourage more women and girls to take up
0:02:31 > 0:02:36apprenticeships as a pathway to a successful career?That is an
0:02:36 > 0:02:40important point, it is not enough we have over 50% of friendships taken
0:02:40 > 0:02:44up by women, we want to ensure there is greater diversity in particular
0:02:44 > 0:02:48areas where at the moment we are seeing a lower levels of female
0:02:48 > 0:02:52participating than we would like. The strategy sets out a long-term
0:02:52 > 0:02:56plan to build a world-class careers system helping young people and
0:02:56 > 0:03:00adults choose the career that is right for them and promoting gender
0:03:00 > 0:03:03equality by increasing young people's contact with employers.
0:03:03 > 0:03:07Demonstrating different jobs and career paths to raise aspirations.
0:03:07 > 0:03:11In addition a new legal requirement means schools must give providers
0:03:11 > 0:03:16the chance to talk about technical qualifications and apprenticeships.
0:03:16 > 0:03:19In this way we hope to raise awareness of the additional routes
0:03:19 > 0:03:26available to young people.I am delighted 580 people started at
0:03:26 > 0:03:30apprenticeships in Southend last year but with my right honourable
0:03:30 > 0:03:35friend please advise me what further she can do to incentivise local
0:03:35 > 0:03:40employers to offer even more apprenticeships to women in
0:03:40 > 0:03:50Southend?Again, he raises the point that we need to make sure women are
0:03:50 > 0:03:53starting apprenticeships in the variety of areas particularly in
0:03:53 > 0:03:57Stem subjects where at the moment they are underrepresented. Only
0:03:57 > 0:04:00around 8% at the moment. We are making sure we thought this
0:04:00 > 0:04:05additional effort and working through the approach of diversity
0:04:05 > 0:04:09network working with employers to make sure the show young people the
0:04:09 > 0:04:15opportunities in other areas particularly the stem areas.The
0:04:15 > 0:04:20pension Minister made insulting comments to women born in the 1950s
0:04:20 > 0:04:22telling them to take up apprenticeships as a way to redress
0:04:22 > 0:04:27some of the financial burden they now face, can the new minister set
0:04:27 > 0:04:31out how many women born in the 1950s affected by the government pension
0:04:31 > 0:04:35changes have taken up these apprenticeships which are more than
0:04:35 > 0:04:40an insult to all the women who worked all those years?I would like
0:04:40 > 0:04:45to correct the honourable gentleman, this government holy respect women
0:04:45 > 0:04:48in their 50s. I have an interest to declare in that particular area and
0:04:48 > 0:04:53we will always make sure apprenticeships are available to all
0:04:53 > 0:04:58different ages between August 2016 and April 2017 the number of
0:04:58 > 0:05:04apprenticeship starts were over 53,004 people aged 45 to 59 and for
0:05:04 > 0:05:09people aged 60 and over it was over 3400, an increase in the previous
0:05:09 > 0:05:17year and we hope to increase that. Like in the rest of the United
0:05:17 > 0:05:22Kingdom is problem for women in Northern Ireland, can the Minister
0:05:22 > 0:05:27outline what engagement she is taking with departments and agencies
0:05:27 > 0:05:30in Northern Ireland to identify best practice and find workable solutions
0:05:30 > 0:05:34to a laminating the barriers?We have legged Gull meetings with
0:05:34 > 0:05:38ministers from Northern Ireland and we will always make sure we share
0:05:38 > 0:05:42information where we can and best practice so that women and other
0:05:42 > 0:05:46people who want to participate in apprenticeships, people with
0:05:46 > 0:05:50disabilities for instance, can also make sure they access the additional
0:05:50 > 0:05:56opportunities we are determined to provide.Minister are you aware of
0:05:56 > 0:06:00the opportunity to the latest report from the young woman's trust which
0:06:00 > 0:06:04shows two in five apprentices spend more money completing their
0:06:04 > 0:06:09apprenticeship than they earn with women facing an 8% gender pay gap?
0:06:09 > 0:06:13Is the most prepared to increase the number of women accessing
0:06:13 > 0:06:19high-quality apprenticeships.It is essential we give women all the
0:06:19 > 0:06:21opportunities they can to access high-quality apprenticeships
0:06:21 > 0:06:25referred to. I have not seen that report but I will certainly take a
0:06:25 > 0:06:35look and come back to him.Number two Mr Speaker.The government is
0:06:35 > 0:06:38fully committed to protecting victims of domestic abuse and to
0:06:38 > 0:06:45improving sustainability of funding for refugees. The Ministry of
0:06:45 > 0:06:49Housing has launched a £20 million domestic abuse accommodation fund
0:06:49 > 0:06:56which is supporting 76 projects creating 2200 new bed spaces over
0:06:56 > 0:07:00the next two years and supporting more than 19,000 women. Some of that
0:07:00 > 0:07:05money coming to Manchester.A constituent described hell on earth
0:07:05 > 0:07:10as a loved one looked for a refugee to protect her from domestic
0:07:10 > 0:07:18violence. Thankfully they found a space eventually but the new funding
0:07:18 > 0:07:23model being proposed risks producing a postcode lottery so how will the
0:07:23 > 0:07:32Minister ensure the provisions in her constituency are no different
0:07:32 > 0:07:34from mine?May I correct the honourable gentleman, with respect,
0:07:34 > 0:07:39we want to make sure areas across the country share the same best
0:07:39 > 0:07:47practice that the Ministry of Housing is consulting on how we fund
0:07:47 > 0:07:52refuge's sustainably. When victims enable honourable states go to
0:07:52 > 0:07:55refuges are not having to fill in housing benefit forms in the middle
0:07:55 > 0:08:01of all the crisis they are finding. May I declare an interest as my wife
0:08:01 > 0:08:07volunteers at a refuge. Can my honourable friend ensure the house
0:08:07 > 0:08:11that ministers have met with organisations such as Women's Aid to
0:08:11 > 0:08:14ensure their views on the new funding model are properly listened
0:08:14 > 0:08:19to and considered?I thank my honourable friend for his question
0:08:19 > 0:08:25and for the work is wife does but also every person who works in our
0:08:25 > 0:08:30domestic abuse refuge. We are working and meeting with Women's Aid
0:08:30 > 0:08:34and other organisations. I am determined to ensure the future of
0:08:34 > 0:08:39refuge's is funded sustainably and I would urge anyone to respond to the
0:08:39 > 0:08:51consultation.The proposed changes to housing benefit will leave
0:08:51 > 0:08:58refuges in a troublesome was flick position. If this government is
0:08:58 > 0:09:02serious about protecting victims they have to put more money into
0:09:02 > 0:09:06specialist services, what commitment will they make to see look at
0:09:06 > 0:09:12increasing funding for specialist refuges?As I say we have the £20
0:09:12 > 0:09:18million domestic abuse fund which DC G is overlooking and we are as the
0:09:18 > 0:09:23lady now is consulting on the draft domestic abuse bill this year and I
0:09:23 > 0:09:26hope that consultation will start soon and I would welcome, the
0:09:26 > 0:09:31government would welcome responses from those industry. We are
0:09:31 > 0:09:34absolutely committed to funding refuges properly and I am pleased we
0:09:34 > 0:09:45have are the 10% rise in bed spaces since 2010.Number four Mr Speaker.
0:09:45 > 0:09:50The Sawyers report which highlights many of the issues women face in the
0:09:50 > 0:09:54workplace particularly the gender pay gap in Scotland, it's at a near
0:09:54 > 0:09:59record low but must be eradicated completely. The Secretary of State
0:09:59 > 0:10:04regularly meets Cabinet colleagues to discuss such important issues.
0:10:04 > 0:10:09The report was intended to be the start of a process, a road marked
0:10:09 > 0:10:14for the engagement of women in Scotland's economy, it was not an
0:10:14 > 0:10:18end in itself. Can I suggest to the ministers she would be well advised
0:10:18 > 0:10:21to meet Professor Sawyers and discuss how her report can be taken
0:10:21 > 0:10:26forward in government?That is a pleasant suggestion and I look
0:10:26 > 0:10:35forward to meeting her in due course.Number five.The year of
0:10:35 > 0:10:41engineering is an opportunity to tackle historic gender stereotypes
0:10:41 > 0:10:45throughout 2018, the campaign will highlight the variety and creativity
0:10:45 > 0:10:49in engineering to improve the understanding of what engineers do
0:10:49 > 0:10:54and the enormous opportunities of a career in engineering to both young
0:10:54 > 0:11:00men and women.I thank the Minister for that answer. It is a vital
0:11:00 > 0:11:07employment sector for residents in mid-charge -- Mid Derbyshire. Can my
0:11:07 > 0:11:11honourable friend update the house of which external parties in
0:11:11 > 0:11:17Derbyshire who signed up campaign? My honourable friend has almost
0:11:17 > 0:11:22answered the question for me. Rolls-Royce, Bombardier and Toyota
0:11:22 > 0:11:26have all pledged to support the campaign throughout activities in
0:11:26 > 0:11:32schools, both nationwide and in the Derby area.One of the biggest
0:11:32 > 0:11:36barriers to women and girls entering careers in engineering and physics
0:11:36 > 0:11:44is the perception and expectations of parents, I would ask the Minister
0:11:44 > 0:11:52to encourage parents to look at the career options.
0:11:52 > 0:11:54a a and honourable lady is quite right but we have been quite
0:11:54 > 0:12:07successful because -- the honourable lady is quite right. Girls' entry
0:12:07 > 0:12:12into A-level physics has risen overall as well and overall the
0:12:12 > 0:12:22number of girls taking stem A-levels has increased by 20% since 2010.As
0:12:22 > 0:12:23well as ensuring career advice encourages more women into
0:12:23 > 0:12:28engineering it is also worth looking at financial incentives to see how
0:12:28 > 0:12:37the apprentice sector is working to encourage more companies to offer
0:12:37 > 0:12:39apprenticeships in engineering.We introduced the apprenticeship levy
0:12:39 > 0:12:42in order to boost the importance of apprenticeships. We delivered more
0:12:42 > 0:12:47than 2 million in the last Parliament, and we are committed to
0:12:47 > 0:12:503 million apprenticeship starts in this parliament because this is a
0:12:50 > 0:12:53Government committed to high quality skills in our economy and the
0:12:53 > 0:13:05apprenticeship programme is part and parcel of that ambition.
0:13:05 > 0:13:10For all budgets, Treasury ministers very carefully assess the gender
0:13:10 > 0:13:14impact of the various measures under consideration, as a statutory duty
0:13:14 > 0:13:18but also because it is our foreign policy to do so. In the budget, one
0:13:18 > 0:13:25of our centrepieces was the increase in the national living wage by 4.4%,
0:13:25 > 0:13:30from this April, which will disproportionately benefit women.
0:13:30 > 0:13:34Women are still bearing the brunt of the Government's failed austerity
0:13:34 > 0:13:38agenda. What assessment of the Minister make about the financial
0:13:38 > 0:13:42impact of the autumn budget on women and those with protected
0:13:42 > 0:13:48characteristics? Well, the Government, as the
0:13:48 > 0:13:51honourable member will know, is constantly carrying out assessments.
0:13:51 > 0:13:56Around all the school events there are those kind of assessment, but I
0:13:56 > 0:13:59would point not only to the national living wage increase that
0:13:59 > 0:14:03disproportionately benefit women, but the personal allowance increase
0:14:03 > 0:14:07that takes many women out of tax altogether, and that we are spending
0:14:07 > 0:14:12will be by 2019 and 2020 some £6 billion per year on childcare, a
0:14:12 > 0:14:19record level of expenditure.I finally received a letter from the
0:14:19 > 0:14:22Government equalities office in regard to equalities impact
0:14:22 > 0:14:28assessment. If, as the Minister has just stated, the impact assessment
0:14:28 > 0:14:32was carried out, it would have showed that 86% of the Government
0:14:32 > 0:14:36cuts would have fallen on women. Why, then, did the Government
0:14:36 > 0:14:41continue with these damaging policies?As I have pointed out
0:14:41 > 0:14:44there are many measures the Government has taken, and I have
0:14:44 > 0:14:48just listed some in the recent budget, that specifically assist
0:14:48 > 0:14:53women around issues like childcare, the personal tax allowance increases
0:14:53 > 0:14:56and of course the national living wage increase that will come in from
0:14:56 > 0:15:01this April. We will continue to very vigorously assess all measures, as
0:15:01 > 0:15:06we do around all physical events, to ensure women are treated fairly and
0:15:06 > 0:15:12are an absolute priority for this Government.
0:15:12 > 0:15:17Discrimination against pregnant women and new mothers is totally
0:15:17 > 0:15:20unacceptable. However, research which the Government has
0:15:20 > 0:15:23commissioned with the equalities and human rights commission did not
0:15:23 > 0:15:27suggest the three month time limit of bringing a claim to an employment
0:15:27 > 0:15:31tribunal was a particular barrier to pregnant women and new mothers,
0:15:31 > 0:15:34however the rules permit an extension to that time limit is
0:15:34 > 0:15:38needed, and of course we will continue further guidance on this if
0:15:38 > 0:15:43that would be helpful. What steps is this Government taking
0:15:43 > 0:15:50to prevent further job losses after the new reports expose that on
0:15:50 > 0:15:54average 54,000 new mothers lose their jobs because of maternity disc
0:15:54 > 0:16:00rumination? We have to make sure the message is
0:16:00 > 0:16:05clear that this discolouration is wholly unacceptable -- because of
0:16:05 > 0:16:07maternity discrimination. We have to give women the courage to put
0:16:07 > 0:16:10forward a claim if it is appropriate but the message from Government is
0:16:10 > 0:16:15clear to employers, it is not acceptable.In response to the women
0:16:15 > 0:16:17and equalities Select Committee report the Government has already
0:16:17 > 0:16:21agreed to act on this issue, but could my honourable friend update
0:16:21 > 0:16:26that House on whether the president of the employment tribunal will be
0:16:26 > 0:16:32issuing guidance on this? And also, the honourable member has also
0:16:32 > 0:16:37agreed to start collecting data on applications for time extensions on
0:16:37 > 0:16:40maternity cases. Could you perhaps undertake to update the House in the
0:16:40 > 0:16:47future on the progress of that? In relation to... I know that late
0:16:47 > 0:16:52in 2016 the Select Committee of which the honourable lady is the
0:16:52 > 0:16:55chair published a report on this and the recommendations were considered,
0:16:55 > 0:17:03and the research we commissioned with the EH IC did not suggest the
0:17:03 > 0:17:06three month time limit for bringing a claim to the employment Tribunal
0:17:06 > 0:17:09is a buyer, but I will of course look into it and write to the
0:17:09 > 0:17:19honourable lady -- the EHRC.Can I welcome the new equalities minister
0:17:19 > 0:17:22to place and pay tribute the honourable member for Putney for her
0:17:22 > 0:17:28role? The Justice committee was joined in calling for an extension
0:17:28 > 0:17:30of the deadline from three to six months and in response the
0:17:30 > 0:17:33Government said it would keep the timeline for claims to be submitted
0:17:33 > 0:17:36under review and we have heard a continuation of that narrative is
0:17:36 > 0:17:41today. Since the statement, the Supreme Court ruling issued that the
0:17:41 > 0:17:46UK must abolish tribunal fees and repay those who made that claim. It
0:17:46 > 0:17:51is therefore now not attempt to make a -- is it not know the time to make
0:17:51 > 0:17:54a full review of that, remove the barriers and make a serious
0:17:54 > 0:17:59commitment to increasing that time limit to six months?As I said, the
0:17:59 > 0:18:03Government continues to keep this under review. Following the Supreme
0:18:03 > 0:18:07Court judgment on employment tribunal fees, we charging fees
0:18:07 > 0:18:10immediately, and arrangements are being put in place by the Ministry
0:18:10 > 0:18:13of Justice in relation to refunding those who have paid fees in the
0:18:13 > 0:18:17past, but as I say this point on the scrimmage against new mothers and
0:18:17 > 0:18:24pregnant women is very much being kept under review. -- on
0:18:24 > 0:18:28discrimination against new mothers. This year marks a milestone in our
0:18:28 > 0:18:31democracy. We will celebrate the achievements of outstanding women
0:18:31 > 0:18:35who fought for gender equality. The Scottish Government is receiving
0:18:35 > 0:18:38centenary funding through the application of the Barnett Formula.
0:18:38 > 0:18:42The Government equalities office has monthly meetings with the devolved
0:18:42 > 0:18:44administrations who are responsible for how they choose to mark the
0:18:44 > 0:18:51centenary in their respective nations.I would like to commend
0:18:51 > 0:18:53this Government in establishing the centenary fund to ensure this
0:18:53 > 0:18:56important milestone is Mark. Having written to the Scottish Government
0:18:56 > 0:19:00minister last year with no response, does the Minister share my belief
0:19:00 > 0:19:04that the devolved administration should spend the funds the allocated
0:19:04 > 0:19:08to make sure the centenary is properly celebrated in all parts of
0:19:08 > 0:19:13our United Kingdom?Women across the UK went to the ballot boxes for the
0:19:13 > 0:19:18first time in 1918. All four nations contributed to that landmark change.
0:19:18 > 0:19:23The Scottish Government, like the Welsh and Northern Ireland
0:19:23 > 0:19:26volley-mac Irish are responsible for how they choose to mark the
0:19:26 > 0:19:30centenary in their respective nations -- like the Welsh assembly
0:19:30 > 0:19:33and Northern Ireland assembly are responsible. I cannot understand why
0:19:33 > 0:19:35they would not also want to mark this great celebration in an
0:19:35 > 0:19:43important way.Does the right honourable lady see a fitting
0:19:43 > 0:19:49tribute to the great women elected last year would be to ported in the
0:19:49 > 0:19:56House of Commons of Winnie Ewing?Mr Speaker, I am sure you will want to
0:19:56 > 0:20:00listen carefully as well to that suggestion because I understand it
0:20:00 > 0:20:04is a matter for your committee?It is a very important committee and I
0:20:04 > 0:20:08have a feeling the lady will be to her way towards it, so pitch in
0:20:08 > 0:20:11person and I am sure the committee looks forward to that prospect with
0:20:11 > 0:20:25eager anticipation.Question number nine.Thank you, Mr Speaker, and I
0:20:25 > 0:20:30should perhaps begin by declaring an interest because Mrs Griffin and I
0:20:30 > 0:20:33are expecting our first child in April and as the minister
0:20:33 > 0:20:38responsible I will be taking my full paternity leave. Mr Speaker, shared
0:20:38 > 0:20:42parental leave and pay was developed by the then coalition Government. It
0:20:42 > 0:20:45enables working couples to share childcare responsibility in the
0:20:45 > 0:20:50first year. This is a radical step forward in terms of challenging
0:20:50 > 0:20:54cultural expectations about the roles of men and women, and the
0:20:54 > 0:20:59mother is always the primary carer. This Government understands the
0:20:59 > 0:21:02pressures on working families and we are taking steps to improve ass
0:21:02 > 0:21:05improve the deck above the scheme and I will see more about it in due
0:21:05 > 0:21:13course.While I welcome the comments and agree it was a radical step
0:21:13 > 0:21:17making a difference, if they were fathers only get the mother's basic
0:21:17 > 0:21:20maternity pay and it is not enhanced in anyway so there has been less
0:21:20 > 0:21:24than 1% uptake in the scheme? Would administer now look into this, in
0:21:24 > 0:21:41light of the court ruling as well, with national rail?There would be
0:21:41 > 0:21:44increasing costs and a business if we increase the rate of paternal pay
0:21:44 > 0:21:48and we not ruling this out but it is important we understand the facts
0:21:48 > 0:21:52before changing any policy. I am sure she will be pleased to know
0:21:52 > 0:21:56that under this Government we have done a huge amount to support both
0:21:56 > 0:22:02fathers and mothers in relation to parental leave. We have cut income
0:22:02 > 0:22:06tax for more than 13 million women, introduced tax free childcare,
0:22:06 > 0:22:11increased tax carer for 3- 4 euros to 30 hours a week and encouraging
0:22:11 > 0:22:15people to return after a time-out. This is a Government that
0:22:15 > 0:22:18understands the pressures on working families -- three and four-year-olds
0:22:18 > 0:22:28to 30 hours a week.Question number ten.The Home Office coordinates the
0:22:28 > 0:22:31approach to tackling domestic abuse to our violence against women and
0:22:31 > 0:22:34girls strategy which has committed increased funding of £100 million to
0:22:34 > 0:22:41support victims.The Scottish Government are providing essential
0:22:41 > 0:22:46training to around 14,000 police officers in order to help coercive
0:22:46 > 0:22:53control. -- help them spot coercive control. What explains how she had
0:22:53 > 0:22:56in her home offers real doing training for police in England and
0:22:56 > 0:23:04Wales? -- what explains how she had in her home offers role with
0:23:04 > 0:23:07training.I don't know if the Minister will admit talking to
0:23:07 > 0:23:11herself, but I think we are about to discover.I will draw a veil over
0:23:11 > 0:23:18that particular assumption, but we have drawn a veil over -- we are
0:23:18 > 0:23:22making sure we support women and address additional forms of abuse
0:23:22 > 0:23:25kicking rhythmically. We have also ruled out domestic violence
0:23:25 > 0:23:35protection orders but the most important thing, -- address
0:23:35 > 0:23:42additional forms of abuse taking place. This year marks the centenary
0:23:42 > 0:23:46of the first British women getting the vote. We should not forget what
0:23:46 > 0:23:51it took to achieve this. Hunger striking suffragettes were brutally
0:23:51 > 0:23:56force-fed with troops, a process so painful it could cause lifelong
0:23:56 > 0:23:59injuries and even make the prison wardens cry in horror. Those who
0:23:59 > 0:24:05marched in favour of women's rights were pelted with rotting vegetables,
0:24:05 > 0:24:07rocks and even dead rats. Suffragette Emily Davison was
0:24:07 > 0:24:10trampled to death by the King's course when she walked on the
0:24:10 > 0:24:14tractor protest. It is only right we honour the extraordinary efforts and
0:24:14 > 0:24:18sacrifices of these remarkable women as well as the landmark change the
0:24:18 > 0:24:22brought about and this Government will be making sure we provide
0:24:22 > 0:24:27necessary funds and support to do just that -- walked on the track to
0:24:27 > 0:24:31protest.In a 21st-century surely women deserve total equality call
0:24:31 > 0:24:35them back so can the Minister tell us what steps the Government is
0:24:35 > 0:24:38taking to make sure there is not the pay gap in the civil service in
0:24:38 > 0:24:44light of the fact that Carrie Gracie resigned recently as China editor at
0:24:44 > 0:24:50the BBC, citing pay issues they are? I thank my honourable friend for
0:24:50 > 0:24:53raising such an important point and it is absolutely essential we all
0:24:53 > 0:24:57ensure the Equal Pay Act is enforced and much as I admire the BBC and
0:24:57 > 0:25:01enjoy listening and looking at their programmes, they clearly have a very
0:25:01 > 0:25:05serious question to answer here, which I certainly hope they will
0:25:05 > 0:25:08address, and in terms of the gender pay gap we are committed to ensuring
0:25:08 > 0:25:11we do address that as well, and of course we will have disclosure
0:25:11 > 0:25:15arrangements.
0:25:15 > 0:25:19I to welcome the additional burden put only minister in her new role
0:25:19 > 0:25:26and thank the former minister. On the 26th of August 2016 the Prime
0:25:26 > 0:25:30Minister began her PR exercise on the race disparity audit. On the
0:25:30 > 0:25:3510th of October 2017 the government released the data. This week I
0:25:35 > 0:25:41launched the investing in ethnicity maturity matrix, a free resource for
0:25:41 > 0:25:46businesses in this regard as chair of the all parlayed mentally grip.
0:25:46 > 0:25:49Will the Minister explain what steps the government has taken to act upon
0:25:49 > 0:25:56the findings from the race to parity audit? I look forward to working
0:25:56 > 0:26:00with the honourable lady in this house. I have not seen a report yet
0:26:00 > 0:26:04but no doubt after this question she will be kind enough to give me a
0:26:04 > 0:26:10copy. The publication of it shows how committed this government is to
0:26:10 > 0:26:15making sure that when we find raised the party we will address it. Each
0:26:15 > 0:26:17department is looking at the recommendations and will be coming
0:26:17 > 0:26:22forward with how we address them.As the government rightly pushes
0:26:22 > 0:26:26forward legislation for greater use of electric vehicles guide .uk have
0:26:26 > 0:26:30expressed concern from the equality 's perspective about possible safety
0:26:30 > 0:26:34obligations for blind and partially sighted pedestrians for greater use
0:26:34 > 0:26:38of these very quiet vehicles, will be Secretary of State please raise
0:26:38 > 0:26:43this concern?I thank my honourable friend for raising this, I am aware
0:26:43 > 0:26:47it is a concern amongst people who are disabled particularly blind
0:26:47 > 0:26:52people. I would point out autonomous vehicles are not necessarily going
0:26:52 > 0:26:56to be so quiet, it depends, the autonomous nature means they will
0:26:56 > 0:27:00not be driven by an individual but the noise level will depend on NPR
0:27:00 > 0:27:04petrol or diesel or electric but certainly I have been having
0:27:04 > 0:27:06conversations with the Department for Transport and we'll make sure
0:27:06 > 0:27:15they are aware of this serious concern.Iman from my constituency
0:27:15 > 0:27:23was among the many suffragettes who secured women the right to vote many
0:27:23 > 0:27:29years ago. What steps is the government taking to address the
0:27:29 > 0:27:33lack of women's representation in Parliament?I thank the honourable
0:27:33 > 0:27:37gentleman for raising this important issue which we think is critical to
0:27:37 > 0:27:42celebrate in this centenary year. I hope you will consider and speak to
0:27:42 > 0:27:47activists in his constituency about applying for support to raise the
0:27:47 > 0:27:51profile of historical suffragettes in his area. We are committed as a
0:27:51 > 0:27:54government to ensure we have high representation not only in
0:27:54 > 0:27:57Parliament but also government and I am delighted to say there are now
0:27:57 > 0:28:0530% of women attending Cabinet. I would like to congratulate the Home
0:28:05 > 0:28:08Secretary on her expanded role, I know she will do a brilliant job.
0:28:08 > 0:28:12She will know that young people, parents and teachers think it is
0:28:12 > 0:28:18vital in a modern Internet world to see sex and relationships education
0:28:18 > 0:28:23updated. Can she confirm the government will push ahead with
0:28:23 > 0:28:27updating guidance which is now so out of date but also if she will
0:28:27 > 0:28:30meet with myself, my right honourable friend the member for
0:28:30 > 0:28:33Basingstoke and also the honourable member for Rotherham to ensure there
0:28:33 > 0:28:38is a cross-party support for the work which is being undertaken?Can
0:28:38 > 0:28:46I thank the right honourable lady for the work she did in this role
0:28:46 > 0:28:50and I will try my best to keep up the momentum she provided. One of
0:28:50 > 0:28:54the fantastic things she did was lead on making sure sex and
0:28:54 > 0:28:57relationship education will be provided in all schools. I would be
0:28:57 > 0:29:00delighted to work with her to make sure that is the case and also
0:29:00 > 0:29:03across the house to ensure the outcome we get is one the whole
0:29:03 > 0:29:12house can support as I know everyone believes this is important.The
0:29:12 > 0:29:17requirement for all bass tribe is to undertake disability equality
0:29:17 > 0:29:21training has been standard across the EU since 2013 and the UK's
0:29:21 > 0:29:26five-year-old Dowd ends in the 1st of March. The Scottish Government
0:29:26 > 0:29:30has produced accessible travel framework so can the Minister tell
0:29:30 > 0:29:34us whether standardised training will be in place in the next six
0:29:34 > 0:29:37weeks across England so the UK meet its obligation and disabled
0:29:37 > 0:29:43passengers can access public transport?I am delighted to answer
0:29:43 > 0:29:48that question, I would certainly ensure the individual Minister of
0:29:48 > 0:29:51disabled persons and also the Transport Secretary have an address
0:29:51 > 0:29:55of that particular point and will write to the honourable lady.
0:29:55 > 0:30:00Growing concern about the use of Non Disclosure Agreement in connection
0:30:00 > 0:30:05with employment, will my right honourable friend in join me in
0:30:05 > 0:30:07condemning the use of Non Disclosure Agreement is to conceal wrongdoing
0:30:07 > 0:30:12of any kind and to encourage illegal regulators to consider whether they
0:30:12 > 0:30:18are in fact ethical?I thank my right honourable friend for raising
0:30:18 > 0:30:22that I look forward to working with her in an important committee. She
0:30:22 > 0:30:26has raised an important element because transparency is such an
0:30:26 > 0:30:29important part of achieving equality. I look forward to working
0:30:29 > 0:30:34with her on this to establish what the right way forward is.I would
0:30:34 > 0:30:40like to welcome the Minister to her new role. Mr Speaker the BBC claimed
0:30:40 > 0:30:45that 14.5% of its staff are from the AMV backgrounds but others including
0:30:45 > 0:30:49Lenny Hamrick said when you look at the staff making the programmes it
0:30:49 > 0:30:55falls to just 1.5%. Is the minister concerned is a major problem with
0:30:55 > 0:30:59representation at the BBC and what discussion has she had with the BBC
0:30:59 > 0:31:04about what they are doing about it? I had not seen those particular
0:31:04 > 0:31:08figures but what it draws attention to is that sometimes the overall
0:31:08 > 0:31:12numbers suggesting there is a quality hides the fact that in
0:31:12 > 0:31:16special areas there is nowhere near the quality so I take seriously what
0:31:16 > 0:31:20has been raised and I think the additional questions for the BBC to
0:31:20 > 0:31:32answer in the element she has raised was appointed to the post and was
0:31:32 > 0:31:39told the Post has been abolished. Will be Secretary of State reverse
0:31:39 > 0:31:41the disgraceful decision to abolish the post of disability rights
0:31:41 > 0:31:47commission and restore Lord Schenk went to his rightful position?The
0:31:47 > 0:31:56disability commissioner role was the operational matter and the Secretary
0:31:56 > 0:32:05of State has no powers to appoint or reinstate a disability commissioner.
0:32:05 > 0:32:09Over the weekend I was sent a screenshot from a Facebook page
0:32:09 > 0:32:15directed at the female CEO of wooden council it read, and I quote,"
0:32:15 > 0:32:21horrible pitch, should hand, wish I help the rope". This was not deemed
0:32:21 > 0:32:29to violate Facebook standards. This is not an isolated incident. What
0:32:29 > 0:32:32further action will the government take to ensure women in public
0:32:32 > 0:32:42office feel safe?It's such an important issue and one I think we
0:32:42 > 0:32:46are all having to deal with. The nastiness of comments online is
0:32:46 > 0:32:49something we all disparage and we are actively engaging to make sure
0:32:49 > 0:32:53what they can do to take it down. I would respectfully point out that in
0:32:53 > 0:32:59the recent publication about conduct in public life it was particularly
0:32:59 > 0:33:03Conservative MP's you were on the receiving end and I would urge
0:33:03 > 0:33:11opposition members here to work with their party to ensure a reduction...
0:33:11 > 0:33:15It is evidence of the largest graduate employers in our country
0:33:15 > 0:33:18are paying men and women different rates when they start in the
0:33:18 > 0:33:21workplace. Because we know the gender pay gap only widens as women
0:33:21 > 0:33:29progress to the workplace, what can the government do to tackle this
0:33:29 > 0:33:34insidious issue?We are very serious about tackling that gender pay gap,
0:33:34 > 0:33:38from April this year any employer with over 250 employees will have to
0:33:38 > 0:33:41publish the pay gap and it's through transparency we will get real
0:33:41 > 0:33:48change.Will the government carried an economic impact assessment on the
0:33:48 > 0:33:52value of investing in a comprehensive childcare provision
0:33:52 > 0:33:58across the country and particularly impact on women and gender equality?
0:33:58 > 0:34:04We already carry out a wide variety of impact assessments including only
0:34:04 > 0:34:08kind of area at the honourable lady alludes to and if she would like to
0:34:08 > 0:34:11write to me with further details of exactly the aspects she is