International Women’s Day

Baroness Stedman-Scott Excerpts

Wednesday 5th March 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Blake of Leeds (Lab)]

The noble Lord raises an important point, though I am not sure I am fully qualified to answer the points he raises. However, I am always intrigued by translations of religious texts and how certain aspects have been accepted. There is a lot more debate to be had on this. I am proud particularly of the city where I come from, where our religious leaders work tirelessly together to come forward with common understanding and means to move forward and to achieve equality for all.

[Baroness Stedman-Scott (Con)]

My Lords, does the Minister agree that my noble friends Lady Owen of Alderley Edge and Lady Bertin have been leading the way with their campaigns and reports on deepfake images and pornography? Will the noble Baroness—and, indeed, the whole House—join me in congratulating them on their important work, and will she advise us when the Government will respond to the review of pornography?

[Baroness Blake of Leeds (Lab)]

I thank the noble Baroness for that timely question. We are struggling to see each other over the Dispatch Boxes—we have some equality issues that we need to address. But seriously, this has been such an important piece of work, and I absolutely commend all of those who have put so much time and energy in. The independent review is a very wide-ranging piece of work and we are looking forward to a Written Ministerial Statement. There will be a joint letter going out, and I honestly believe there needs to be a significant amount of time for assessing how we take this crucial piece of work forward.