Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Elizabeth Truss and Heather Wheeler

Wednesday 21st October 2020 Commons Chamber

[Elizabeth Truss]

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. They are a huge asset to our country, but having more women in STEM is also helping to close the wage gap and helping our economy to recover post covid. Around 35% of the wage gap can be overcome if we get more women working in high-paid occupations and sectors such as engineering and technology.

[Mrs Heather Wheeler (South Derbyshire) (Con)]

What steps she is taking to increase business opportunities for women through international trade.

[The Minister for Women and Equalities (Elizabeth Truss)]

As much as £250 billion could be added to the UK economy if women started and scaled businesses at the same rate as men. I am determined that trade should play its part in opening up greater opportunities for women, both in the UK and across the world.

[Mrs Wheeler]

I thank my right hon. Friend for that answer. Can she tell me what the UK will do to build on our close ties with Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam to expand trading opportunities, especially for women, particularly given Vietnam’s membership of the comprehensive and progressive agreement for trans-Pacific partnership?

[Elizabeth Truss]

First, we have appointed a splendid trade envoy for those three countries, who is going to do a brilliant job promoting opportunities for women and everyone through free trade agreements. My hon. Friend is absolutely right: CPTPP contains important provisions to open up trade for women, and of course Vietnam is a key part of that agreement.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Elizabeth Truss and Heather Wheeler

Wednesday 23rd September 2020 Commons Chamber

[Mrs Heather Wheeler (South Derbyshire) (Con)]

What assessment she has made of the effect of the Government’s international trade policies on increasing business opportunities for women.

[The Minister for Women and Equalities (Elizabeth Truss)]

Trade and enterprise are vitally important to women across the world to help them take control of their own lives. That is why we are backing programmes such as SheTrades and Female Founders to support women across the Commonwealth.

[Mrs Wheeler]

Many South Derbyshire residents have concerns about improving the lives of women in developing countries, as they often write to me about this. How will women in developing countries benefit from the trade policies of our Government?

[Elizabeth Truss]

On Sunday, I was pleased to speak at a United Nations General Assembly event on investing in Africa’s female future. Nimco Ali’s Five Foundation was also represented. It is doing great work to tackle female genital mutilation and bring more economic opportunity for women. In the Department for International Trade, we are currently working on trade continuity agreements with countries such as Kenya to help to build trade and help women in those countries to succeed.