Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps the Government is taking to increase the number of women from black and minority ethnic backgrounds at (a) FTSE 100 boards and (b) the highest level of business.

Diversity and inclusion in the boardroom and the workplace is a hugely important element of building an economy that works for all. The Government is committed to a cohesive society, where everyone – no matter what their background – has the opportunity to enter into and progress at work and achieve on merit.

Sir John Parker’s business-led diversity review into ethnic minorities on FTSE boards published in November 2017, showed that only about 8% of FTSE 100 Directors were from an ethnic minority background, and just over 2% were British citizens from an ethnic minority background.

That is why Government supports and has been promoting the recommendation made by Sir John that all FTSE 100 companies should have at least one director of colour by 2021. Baroness McGregor-Smith's 'Race in the workplace' review also set out a range of actions for business and Government. We have been working with Business in the Community and others to support employers to make these changes, including through sharing of good practice and guidance material.

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has created a Business Diversity and Inclusion Group, chaired by me, to provide strategic leadership on this agenda, and to help deliver a clear and coordinated message to the business community on what they need to do.