Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Kemi Badenoch and Pauline Latham

Wednesday 25th November 2020 Commons Chamber

[The Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury (Kemi Badenoch)]

I thank the hon. Gentleman for his question. As I said in a recent debate on this topic, we do not accept the premise that the curriculum in this country is colonised. While I am always very interested in hearing the viewpoints about how we can improve the curriculum, there are certain premises that we simply will not accept.

[Mrs Pauline Latham (Mid Derbyshire) (Con) [V]]

What recent steps has the Secretary of State taken with Cabinet colleagues to improve access to sexual and reproductive health services for young people during the covid-19 outbreak?

[Kemi Badenoch]

Sexual and reproductive health services have remained open during the pandemic. Services are maintaining access during this time through scaling up of online services. Guidance from the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare sets out that local pathways for urgent referral for vulnerable groups, including via young people’s outreach, should be maintained.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Kemi Badenoch and Pauline Latham

Tuesday 20th October 2020 Commons Chamber

[Mrs Pauline Latham (Mid Derbyshire) (Con)]

[The Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury (Kemi Badenoch)]

[Mrs Latham [V]]

[Kemi Badenoch]

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Kemi Badenoch and Pauline Latham

Wednesday 23rd September 2020 Commons Chamber

[Kemi Badenoch]

The Government take this issue very seriously. The Government Equalities Office carries out various studies to encourage women into this sector. We know that there are disparities in gender representation in some sector subject areas. Women still account for 6% and 8% of starts in construction, planning and the built environment and in engineering and engineering technologies. This is a space in which we are working very hard. We continue to consult business and I know that my Cabinet colleagues are also working on this issue.

[Mrs Pauline Latham (Mid Derbyshire) (Con)]

What steps she is taking to tackle geographic inequality of opportunity in the UK.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mrs Pauline Latham (Mid Derbyshire) (Con)]

Does the Minister agree that if girls aged between 16 and 18 are persuaded to be married instead of continuing their education, they are likely to be disadvantaged for the rest of their life and less economically active than those who complete an education until at least 18?

[The Minister for Equalities (Kemi Badenoch)]

I absolutely agree with my hon. Friend: education is important and it is obviously wrong when girls get married at an early age against their will. My hon. Friend has done a lot of work to raise these issues, and the Government are listening carefully to the debate on the legal age of marriage and continue to keep it under review. Tackling forced marriage is one of our key priorities and I am proud that we made forced marriage an offence in 2014.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Kemi Badenoch and Pauline Latham

Tuesday 15th September 2020 Commons Chamber

[Kemi Badenoch]

From the end of September, homeowners and landlords across England, including in my hon. Friend’s constituency, will be able to apply for vouchers to fund at least two thirds of the cost of upgrading the energy performance of their homes. In additional, Greater Manchester Combined Authority has the opportunity to bid for part of the £500 million being made available to local authorities to help low-income households directly.

[Mrs Pauline Latham (Mid Derbyshire) (Con)]

Whether he is responsible for the allocation of official development assistance to Government Departments other than the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.