Oral Answers to Questions

Karen Lumley Excerpts

Thursday 17th June 2010 Commons Chamber

[Lynne Featherstone]

Yes, I agree with the hon. Lady, who is an excellent role model in her field, and I should be happy to talk with her if she has ideas to share with me. It is important that we take this forward. Many companies have already taken action to increase the numbers of women in their work force, but we are clearly not moving fast enough. British Gas has been quite good. It has doubled its work force of women engineers by recruiting women and retraining them. We have to move further and we have to move faster.

[Karen Lumley (Redditch) (Con)]

5. What recent assessment she has made of the effects of flexible working arrangements on gender equality in the workplace.

[The Secretary of State for the Home Department and Minister for Women and Equalities (Mrs Theresa May)]

I thank my hon. Friend for her question. Flexible working is positive for businesses because it helps them keep valued members of staff. The evidence is clear that flexible working arrangements benefit women, by helping them to balance their caring responsibilities. The coalition Government are united on extending the right to request flexible working; indeed, we have a commitment to do so in the coalition agreement. We will launch a consultation with business at the earliest opportunity.

[Karen Lumley]

Will my right hon. Friend comment on what wider social benefits the Government believe will result from the extension of flexible working rights?

[Mrs May]

I am happy to do so, although we should make more of the fact that there are considerable benefits to businesses in providing flexible working, including keeping valued members of staff, attracting members of staff and being able to dip into the widest possible pool of talent. There are enormous social benefits for families when both women and men can better balance their home and work responsibilities through flexible working arrangements. We have seen that already. There are enormous benefits for children when parents are able to spend more time with them.