Oral Answers to Questions

Paul Blomfield Excerpts

Thursday 22nd February 2018 Commons Chamber

The Minister for Women and Equalities was asked—

[Paul Blomfield (Sheffield Central) (Lab)]

1. How much of the centenary fund to celebrate women having the right to vote has been spent; and how much of that funding has been distributed to women's organisations.

[Stephen Morgan (Portsmouth South) (Lab)]

2. How much of the centenary fund to celebrate women having the right to vote has been spent; and how much of that funding has been distributed to women’s organisations.

[Paul Blomfield]

I thank the Minister for her answer. She will know that the Sheffield Female Political Association, founded in February 1851, was the first women’s suffrage organisation in the UK. Will she therefore join me in supporting the bid prepared by women across the voluntary, arts and education sectors to the fund? Will she wish them well in their ambition to use the centenary to encourage opportunities for civic engagement by women who feel disengaged and disempowered?

[Amber Rudd]

I thank the hon. Gentleman for his question. I am delighted to congratulate him and to welcome the women of Sheffield in their bid to the centenary fund. I hope it will do exactly as he says: encourage more women to engage in political life in general.