Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Susan Elan Jones and Harriett Baldwin

Thursday 25th February 2016 Commons Chamber

[Susan Elan Jones (Clwyd South) (Lab)]

4. What steps she is taking to tackle gender economic inequality.

[The Economic Secretary to the Treasury (Harriett Baldwin)]

The employment for women is at a record high, and the gender pay gap is at a record low. The Government are committed to enabling women and men to fulfil their economic potential.

[Susan Elan Jones]

That all sounds very nice, but with women being over-represented in sectors in which low pay is prominent and persistent, what is the Government’s strategy for tackling extended occupational segregation?

[Harriett Baldwin]

I am sure the hon. Lady will welcome the fact that 65% of the people who will benefit from the new national living wage in a couple of months will be women. This Government are taking that very important step to raise pay for the lowest-paid in our country.