Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he plans to set targets for women's employment to be achieved as a result of the National Productivity Investment Fund announced in the Autumn Statement 2016.

The government has no plans to set targets for women’s employment to be achieved as a result of the National Productivity Investment Fund (NPIF). The NPIF will be targeted at four areas that are critical for productivity: transport, housing, digital communications and research and development (R&D). Investing in these areas will support the UK economy and benefit businesses and households, for instance by reducing congestion on the roads and increasing broadband speed and reliability. The £23bn of investment through the NPIF will have a positive impact on jobs for women and for men.

The government has a strong record on helping women to enter and progress in the labour market. The female employment rate increased by more in the most recent parliament than in the previous three combined.