Oral Answers to Questions

Gavin Newlands Excerpts

Wednesday 21st February 2024 Commons Chamber

[Michelle Donelan]

While the words sound good, it is this Government who are delivering on our plan. Just a few months ago we published our response to the spin-out review, and we are making record levels of investment—£20 billion in research and development. This is a Government who are not just talking the talk, but actually delivering.

[Gavin Newlands (Paisley and Renfrewshire North) (SNP)]

2. What steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help support women into science, technology, engineering and mathematics jobs.

[Hannah Bardell (Livingston) (SNP)]

11. What steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help support women into science, technology, engineering and mathematics jobs.

[The Minister for Science, Research and Innovation (Andrew Griffith)]

Our priority is to ensure that everyone, regardless of background, can pursue the exciting opportunities in STEM. That ambition fully extends to the hon. Members’ constituents in Paisley and Renfrewshire North and in Livingston.

[Gavin Newlands]

New data from Times Higher Education reveals that female science undergraduates are twice as likely to experience sexism as their peers on non-science courses. Many have reported being patronised or belittled by their male classmates, with this behaviour routinely going unchallenged by staff. What steps is the Minister taking to address the pervasive culture of sexism in STEM so that more women can be encouraged to pursue jobs in that important sector?