Question

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what plans her Department has to help the UK make progress towards meeting UN Sustainable Development Goal 5.5.

The Government was at the forefront of negotiating the Sustainable Development Goals and is committed to their implementation in the UK.

We have set up a £5 million fund to mark the centenary of voting rights for women in 2018. The fund will support projects that raise awareness of this milestone and that also celebrate our diverse political system.

Furthermore, we are supporting the work of the Hampton Alexander Review and the Women’s Business Council which foster the talent of women within the workforce.

In 2016-2017, 48.5% of new public appointments were women which is the highest number of female appointments in the last decade.