Question

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, with reference to the Female FTSE Board Report 2018, published by Cranfield University in July 2018, what steps the Government is taking to support more women into business leadership positions; and what local initiatives the Government Equalities Office is supporting to inspire more women into public life.

We welcome Cranfield’s research, helping the business community to identify and address barriers to achieving gender-balanced leadership. Cranfield’s 2018 Board Report shows that the FTSE 100 are on track to meet the Hampton-Alexander Review target. This is for women to hold 33% of positions on FTSE Boards by 2020, as well as on Executive Committees and their Direct Reports. 29% of board positions are now held by women, up from 27.7% in October 2017 and 12.5% in 2011. The FTSE 250 however, need to take action to address their slow progress.

The Government is supporting the Hampton-Alexander Review targets. Our new requirement for large employers to publish gender pay gap information is also exposing where women face barriers to progression and supporting employers to remove these. Other initiatives that support the talent pipeline of women include the Women’s Business Council’s action groups: Starting Out, Getting On and Staying On. The Government has also allocated £5million to help people who have taken time out for caring responsibilities, to return to work.

Our £1.5m Women’s Votes Centenary Grant Scheme is supporting grassroots projects across England that encourage more women to participate in all levels of politics so that they can have an equal voice in decision-making.