Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he is taking with the Secretary of State for Education to increase gender equality in STEM subjects.

The Government is committed to increasing gender equality in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects. Efforts have been made to ensure that girls and boys can succeed on an equal basis particularly in STEM. Data from the Joint Council for Qualifications shows that entries by girls made up 27.2% of all entries to A levels in STEM subjects in 2018, an increase of 6.4 percentage points since 2010. There is near gender parity in most STEM subjects at GCSE with entries by girls making up 50% of those sitting biology, physics and chemistry GCSEs respectively in 2018.

The Department is funding a £2.4 million program to improve girls’ participation in computer science. The Department also funds the Stimulating Physics Network to improve progression to A level physics with a particular focus on improving girls’ participation.

The Department has committed to improving STEM careers advice in schools in the Careers Strategy. This includes ensuring that STEM engagement, such as with employers and apprenticeships, are built into school career programmes by updating school and college statutory guidance. The Department is also raising awareness of the range of careers that STEM qualifications offer through programmes such as STEM ambassadors, 44% of which ambassadors are women.