Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what comparative assessment she has made of the effect of (a) redundancies and (b) reductions in pay during the covid-19 outbreak on women and men.

The effects of the COVID-19 outbreak on employment is complex. This year the UK’s gender pay gap fell to a record low of 15.5%. Redundancy rates for men have increased more than for women. In the latest data available from ONS, July to September 2020, redundancy rates for men have increased to 11.6% up from 4.3% the same time last year, while the rate for women is 10.9% up from 4.3%. And, whilst there is variation in furlough rates across the UK, the furlough take up rates for men and women were similar within each region or country.

Equality Impact Assessments have been systematically produced on COVID-19 regulations; considering equality impacts is part of an ongoing process to support policy development. Impact assessments are kept under review, and the data on outcomes by gender are being monitored.