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

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what discussions he has had with business organisations on the implications of maternity leave and requests for flexible working for the gender pay gap.

The Department meets regularly with business organisations to discuss a range of issues including those which can impact upon the gender pay gap. Consultations in 2015 and 2016 on the gender pay gap have emphasised that fully capitalising on the talent and experience of women makes business sense; it is good for individuals, employers and the economy.