Question

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what steps the Government is taking to open up more work opportunities for women.

The right to Shared Parental Leave and the right to request flexible working help share caring responsibilities more fairly in families so that women can fulfil their potential at work. We are doubling the childcare entitlement for working parents of 3 and 4 year olds from 15 to 30 hours a week from September 2017. We have also allocated £5 million to help people return to work after a break in employment, the majority of whom will be women.