Question

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what assessment she has made of the implications for her policy on equality for women of the debate at the Council of Europe on 23 June 2021 on the participation of women from under-represented groups in political and public decision-making.

We have more women MPs than ever before, making up 34% of the commons, and in 2019 around a third of local councillors were women, but we must ensure all women have an equal voice in the decisions that affect them. Government can’t control who political parties select as candidates, and it is for parties to ensure that their selection processes are responsive to known barriers and lead the way in improving representation of women from all groups.