Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Anneliese Dodds and Becky Gittins

Wednesday 9th October 2024 Commons Chamber

[Becky Gittins (Clwyd East) (Lab)]

6. What steps she is taking to support women in the workplace.

[The Minister for Women and Equalities (Anneliese Dodds)]

As part of our mission to make work pay, we will provide protections from maternity discrimination and sexual harassment. We will speed up progress on the gender pay gap and strengthen equal pay protections. The steps we will take will enable women everywhere to thrive and transform their working lives for the better.

[Becky Gittins]

Does the Minister agree that, unlike some of the incredibly worrying comments we have heard from Opposition leadership contenders this week, in order to grow our economy we need to create the conditions to encourage and support more women back into the workplace?

[Anneliese Dodds]

I strongly agree. Supporting women to return and to progress at work is a crucial part of securing economic growth. It was very surprising that that was even in doubt. This Labour Government are on the side of new mothers, which is why our plan to make work pay commits to strengthening their workplace protections, improving access to flexible working and creating the conditions for all parents to balance work and care.