Women and Men: Pay Gap

Debate between Baroness Scott of Bybrook and Lord Trefgarne

Wednesday 8th March 2023 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Scott of Bybrook (Con)]

Interestingly enough, we have launched an online tool, hosted by GOV.UK, to make it easier for parents to check if they are eligible for shared parental leave, plan their leave, and give the required notice and information to their employer. The number of couples taking up shared parental leave and pay is increasing year on year; last year it was at 13,000. We are also looking at what more we can do to make it easier for fathers to take paternity leave, to challenge the entrenched assumption that caring is the sole responsibility of the mother.

[Lord Trefgarne (Con)]

My Lords, am I not right in thinking that the Royal Air Force has recently authorised women to fly fast jet aircraft on operations for the first time ever? If I am right and that is the case, can the Minister confirm that they are paid the same salary?

[Baroness Scott of Bybrook (Con)]

I am sorry; I cannot confirm that they are paid the same salary, but it is a jolly good job if they are doing the same as the men.

Capital Projects: Spending Decisions

Debate between Baroness Scott of Bybrook and Lord Trefgarne

Monday 20th February 2023 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Scott of Bybrook (Con)]

My Lords, if you look at the missions in the levelling-up Bill, you can see that all those things are important. It is up to local authorities, though, together with the private sector and the voluntary sector, to put forward their ideas in their places, as to how they feel that they can deliver those improvements, such as economic investment in their area. It is up to local authorities—but I agree with the noble Lord that there are many more things that we can do in order to encourage, in those particular areas, a true economic development.

[Lord Trefgarne (Con)]

My Lords, can the Minister offer any advice to Woking Borough Council, where I live, which is more than £1 billion adrift?

[Baroness Scott of Bybrook (Con)]

I am very sorry to say to my noble friend that no, I cannot. I am sure that there are people within the department who will be working with that borough council in order to help it through its difficulties.

Public Procurement: British Standard 95009

Debate between Baroness Scott of Bybrook and Lord Trefgarne

Tuesday 5th April 2022 Lords Chamber

[Lord Trefgarne (Con)]

My Lords, I was Minister for Defence Procurement, admittedly a very long time ago now. Will these new arrangements apply to defence procurement or only to civilian business, as is usually the case?

[Baroness Scott of Bybrook (Con)]

My Lords, they will apply to all government procurement, including defence and security.