Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Gregor Poynton and Anneliese Dodds

Wednesday 5th February 2025 Commons Chamber

[Gregor Poynton (Livingston) (Lab)]

2. What steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help reduce the gender pay gap.

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

Women’s equality and economic growth go hand in hand. Because the progress on closing the gender pay gap stalled under the last Government, as part of the Employment Rights Bill we are requiring large employers to publish gender pay gap action plans alongside their figures to show what they are doing to tackle pay disparity.

[Gregor Poynton]

I thank the Minister for her response. Does she agree that while the Conservatives think that maternity pay has “gone too far” and that the childcare roll-out is a mistake, it is this UK Labour Government who are supporting women in my Livingston constituency and right across the country by bringing in better protections for pregnant women and mums on maternity leave?

[Anneliese Dodds]

Yes. This Government know that supporting hard-working parents is fundamental for economic growth. Our enhanced dismissal protections for pregnant women and new mums will make it clear to them that the law is on their side. That is the right thing for women, and it is the right thing for our economy.

Gibraltar-Spain Border Checks

Debate between Gregor Poynton and Anneliese Dodds

Monday 14th October 2024 Commons Chamber

[Anneliese Dodds]

I really regret this playground-style characterisation of issues that are so fundamental, particularly for those who live in Gibraltar. I mentioned the comments of the Chief Minister of the Falklands, and the right hon. Member has now forced me to quote them, given the nature of what he has just said. The Chief Minister said some of these claims are

“more about party politics, blame-gaming and Tory Party leadership issues…than”

they are actually about the sovereignty of people who live in the overseas territories. He could not have been clearer.

[Gregor Poynton (Livingston) (Lab)]

Does the Minister agree that the actions we have seen over the last few days risk damaging the regional economy in Spain as much as they do in Gibraltar, and therefore all sides must work together to avoid a recurrence of that?

[Anneliese Dodds]

I strongly agree. There is of course substantial and regular traffic of goods and people across the border. That is fundamental not only for the economy of Gibraltar, but of course for Andalusia, Spain and the entire region more broadly, so it is really important that that is borne in mind as well as the sovereignty issues.