Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Jerome Mayhew Excerpts
Wednesday 22nd July 2020

(3 years, 9 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Victoria Atkins Portrait The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Victoria Atkins) [V]
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The hon. Lady knows that we already protect the rights of victims of domestic abuse and other survivors through a range of measures, not just those in the Domestic Abuse Bill, but I am delighted that she raises the Bill, which is a groundbreaking piece of legislation. Alongside it, we will this year launch a pilot project to understand and measure the need of migrant women who have no recourse to public funds, because the Government are clear that they must be treated as victims first and foremost.

Jerome Mayhew Portrait Jerome Mayhew (Broadland) (Con)
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What plans she has for the Equality Hub to tackle geographical and socio-economic inequality.

James Grundy Portrait James Grundy (Leigh) (Con)
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What plans she has for the Equality Hub to tackle geographical and socio-economic inequality.

Elizabeth Truss Portrait The Minister for Women and Equalities (Elizabeth Truss)
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The Prime Minister has set out his vision to level up and spread opportunity across the country, and the Equality Hub will play an important part in realising that vision by rigorously analysing where the real inequality in Britain is today. It will focus in particular on areas such as geography and social background.

Jerome Mayhew Portrait Jerome Mayhew
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Rural poverty is easy to overlook in picturesque areas that other people associate with holidays and a slower pace of life, but it is every bit as hard and destructive for those affected. Can my right hon. Friend advise the House on what action the Government are taking to address rural deprivation?

Elizabeth Truss Portrait Elizabeth Truss
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My hon. Friend makes a good point. We want everybody across the country to benefit from our levelling-up agenda of investing more in transport infrastructure and dealing with educational inequality. We recognise that deprived rural areas can face additional barriers to opportunity. The Equality Hub will analyse the data and look at where that inequality of opportunity is, so that Departments can take measures to address them.