Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Attorney General

Oral Answers to Questions

Ruth Cadbury Excerpts
Thursday 21st July 2016

(7 years, 9 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Justine Greening Portrait Justine Greening
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My hon. Friend’s question has two parts that I should answer. First, we have just expanded the Women’s Business Council to 20 members. That includes organisations based in Scotland and Wales, so we are expanding and making sure that its geographical focus is UK-wide. Secondly, we are also changing the council so that it has greater representation of industries such as engineering, defence systems and construction. A good example would be Halfords Group, which is based in the west midlands near her constituency, whose board is 50% women and whose chief executive is female. We must champion best practice.

Ruth Cadbury Portrait Ruth Cadbury (Brentford and Isleworth) (Lab)
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Will the Government lead by example by increasing the number of women in senior management roles in their Departments, agencies and other organisations in which they have influence, including the NHS?

Justine Greening Portrait Justine Greening
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We are certainly going to try to make sure we do lead by example. The fact that we have our second female Prime Minister is a very good, strong and historic start. She recognises that the public sector needs to make progress, as does the private sector.