Oral Answers to Questions

Alex Chalk Excerpts

Thursday 26th May 2016 Commons Chamber

[Caroline Dinenage]

I was one of those women—under the Labour Government, I was literally working to pay for my childcare. I am so proud that this Government have done more than any other to make childcare affordable and flexible; that is why parents with children aged three to four will be able to access up to 30 hours of childcare.

[Alex Chalk (Cheltenham) (Con)]

rose—

[Mr Speaker]

Order. We will get to the hon. Member for Cheltenham (Alex Chalk) in due course. He need fear not.

--- Later in debate ---

[Dr James Davies (Vale of Clwyd) (Con)]

5. What steps the Government is taking to support older women in the workplace.

[Alex Chalk (Cheltenham) (Con)]

7. What steps the Government is taking to support older women in the workplace.

[Lucy Allan (Telford) (Con)]

12. What steps the Government is taking to support older women in the workplace.

--- Later in debate ---

[Caroline Dinenage]

I absolutely agree with my hon. Friend. That is why we have invested £1.7 million to look at the best ways to support carers to stay in employment, including exploring how businesses can give employees with caring responsibility more help through flexible working and setting up carers surgeries. We have extended the right to request flexible working, with more than 20 million workers now eligible.

[Alex Chalk]

Age discrimination remains a problem. I am delighted to hear the Government are taking the matter seriously, but what concrete steps can be taken to ensure that older women, who are increasingly important as the pension age increases, get the opportunities they deserve?

[Caroline Dinenage]

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. It is vital that women are supported in returning to work following a break in their career. I recently attended the launch of the Barclays and Women’s Business Council “Comeback Toolkit”, which is a fantastic example of innovative working practices and inspirational case studies, such as their “Bolder Apprentice”, Lucille Galloway. She spoke passionately about how returning to a role in the workplace has transformed not only her life but the lives of those around her.