Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Kirstene Hair and Kelly Tolhurst

Tuesday 22nd October 2019 Commons Chamber

[Kelly Tolhurst]

I thank the hon. Lady for her question, but I have to disappoint her because my answer to it is no.

[Kirstene Hair (Angus) (Con)]

I was delighted to hear that Seagreen wind farm off the coast of Angus was successful in its bid in the UK Government contract for difference auction. It will be the most powerful wind farm throughout the United Kingdom and will have the ability to power up to 40% of Scottish homes. Would the Minister like to come to Angus and see the impact it is already having on our local economy? The local port has already secured the contract for the operations and maintenance base.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Kirstene Hair and Kelly Tolhurst

Thursday 11th July 2019 Commons Chamber

[Kelly Tolhurst]

I thank the hon. Lady for raising the concerns among her constituents with regard to the change of contract. As she well knows, that is a debate and a negotiation between the employer and the employees and their representatives. I am sure that the unions involved will be making their feelings clear. I advise those of her constituents who have any concerns about the practices that are happening within Asda to ring ACAS, which will be able to give them good, sound advice.

[Kirstene Hair (Angus) (Con)]

11. What steps the Government are taking to help ensure that women are protected from maternity discrimination.

[Diana Johnson (Kingston upon Hull North) (Lab)]

12. What steps the Government are taking to tackle maternity discrimination.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (Kelly Tolhurst)]

The law is absolutely clear: pregnancy and maternity discrimination against women in the workplace is unlawful. The Government recognise the importance of tackling pregnancy and maternity discrimination more widely, and have consulted on extending redundancy protections. We have received over 600 responses, which we are currently reviewing, and we will set out the next steps very soon.

[Kirstene Hair]

Flexible working enables women to stay in work and develop their careers after they have children, and helps to prevent maternity discrimination. It could also help to close the gender pay gap. It has made a huge difference to a member of staff in my constituency office with regard to getting back into work after having a child. What steps can my hon. Friend outline to ensure that flexible working is offered in employment contracts, and is also a priority when advertising the job so that people understand that it is a possibility?

[Kelly Tolhurst]

My hon. Friend is quite right. This Government recognise that we need to do as much as we can for working families, and particularly for women who may suffer from discrimination. She is right to talk about flexibility. She will know that the Government have committed to consulting on a duty on employers to consider whether a job can be done flexibly and to make that very clear in the advertisement for the job.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Kirstene Hair and Kelly Tolhurst

Tuesday 20th November 2018 Commons Chamber

[Kelly Tolhurst]

I do not know the particular setting that the hon. Gentleman refers to, but I am more than happy to meet him to discuss the matter so that I can raise his concerns directly with the Post Office.

[Kirstene Hair (Angus) (Con)]

We recently heard the disappointing news of the closure of the Michelin factory in Dundee, with the company citing cheaper imports as the reason. It will cause the loss of 845 jobs, many of which will be in my constituency. Will my hon. Friend assure me that the industrial strategy will look into ways to support traditional industries as well as new technologies?