Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Louise Haigh and Caroline Dinenage

Thursday 26th May 2016 Commons Chamber

[Louise Haigh (Sheffield, Heeley) (Lab)]

9. It is vital that the civil service shows leadership in this regard. In 2011, women finally achieved parity at the top of the civil service, but since the Prime Minister gave himself the power to choose the top jobs, he has painstakingly reassembled the glass ceiling, and now only 18% of permanent secretaries are women. Will Ministers commit to publishing the gender breakdown of all applicants and those shortlisted for the top jobs in the civil service?

[Caroline Dinenage]

This is a really important issue. Four of the permanent secretaries appointed in the last year are women, but we want more and that work will continue.