😟 Oral Answers to Questions

Domestic Violence Prevention Services

• The Government aims to halve violence against women and girls, with increased investment in services such as domestic abuse safe accommodation.
• A new violence against women and girls strategy is being developed, which will involve engagement with the sector to enhance consistency of support across the UK.
• Discussions on long-term funding security for local organisations are being considered, acknowledging the vital role they play in supporting survivors.

Gender Pay Gap

• The Government is taking steps to reduce the gender pay gap by requiring large employers to publish action plans alongside their gender pay gap figures.
• Enhanced dismissal protections for pregnant women and new mothers are being introduced to support women in the workplace.
• Efforts are underway to encourage more young women into apprenticeships in traditionally male-dominated fields to address occupational segregation.

SEND Provision

• The Government has allocated £740 million for high-needs capital to support children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in mainstream schools.
• There is a focus on reforming the SEND system to ensure fairer funding distribution, especially in areas like Hertfordshire, which are currently underfunded despite high demand.

Women’s State Pension Age

• The Government has accepted the Ombudsman’s findings of maladministration regarding the women’s state pension age and will work on improving future state pension communications.
• No compensation will be provided to affected women, as evidence suggests most were aware of upcoming changes, and no financial loss was identified directly from lack of awareness.

EHRC Code of Practice

• The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is revising its code of practice to clarify provisions for single-sex services under the Equality Act 2010.
• The Government emphasizes the legal compliance of single-sex refuges and other services, promoting clear guidance for service providers.

Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls

• A national policing centre dedicated to violence against women and girls is set to launch, supported by £13.1 million in funding.
• Emphasis is placed on prevention through education and early intervention with perpetrators, aiming for cultural change to enhance safety for women and girls.
• Local initiatives such as the Tamworth street angels are acknowledged for their role in supporting safety during nights out, with calls for continued support for such community efforts.

Topical Questions

• The Government supports initiatives such as ethnicity pay gap reporting and celebrates events like LGBT History Month and Race Equality Week to promote inclusivity.
• Discussions on improving accessibility in public transport, such as the Tyne Valley railway, are ongoing to ensure all passengers, including those with disabilities, can travel without barriers.
• The Government is committed to addressing attainment gaps for disadvantaged students, particularly focusing on improving outcomes for working-class boys in the north-east.

General Engagements

• The Prime Minister addressed the tragic death of a young boy in Sheffield, pledging to tackle knife crime and improve safety for young people.
• Efforts are being made to improve relations with European partners to enhance trade and security.
• The Prime Minister expressed ongoing support for initiatives such as suicide prevention in schools, following advocacy from campaigners like 3 Dads Walking.

Prime Minister’s Responses

• The Prime Minister condemned the previous government’s handling of the economy, emphasizing current efforts to stabilize it and support growth through initiatives like the Employment Rights Bill and Great British Railways.
• The NHS remains a priority, with significant investments aimed at ensuring it remains free at the point of use and accessible to all.
• The Prime Minister addressed concerns about migration under the previous government, highlighting new measures to control borders and the importance of a cross-party approach to tackle knife crime effectively.

The session shows a moderate level of disagreement throughout the exchanges, primarily based on criticism of past actions, policy differences, and some direct political confrontation. However, the tone remains mostly professional and focused on policy discussions rather than personal attacks.

1. Domestic Violence Prevention Services: While there is no explicit disagreement here, there are calls for more action such as ensuring consistent care across the country and providing long-term funding certainty, indicating dissatisfaction with current service levels.

   • Example: Josh Fenton-Glynn questions the accessibility of services, suggesting a discrepancy between the government’s claim of investment and the actual experience of victims. However, the Minister, Bridget Phillipson, responds positively, emphasizing engagement with the sector.

2. Gender Pay Gap: There is a clear disagreement between the current government’s stance on supporting women and the opposition’s critique of previous government policies.

   • Example: Gregor Poynton claims that the Conservatives thought maternity pay had “gone too far,” which directly contrasts with the current government’s position of supporting better protections for pregnant women and mums.

3. SEND Provision: Lewis Cocking challenges the Minister on the fairness of the SEND funding system, suggesting it disadvantages some regions. The Minister, Bridget Phillipson, acknowledges the issue but attributes it to the system inherited from the previous government.

   • Example: Phillipson admits the need to reform the SEND system, indirectly critiquing the previous administration’s handling of the issue.

4. Women’s State Pension Age: There is a notable disagreement about compensation for WASPI women, with the opposition pushing for action while the government declines, citing logistical and financial concerns.

   • Example: Brian Leishman criticizes the government for not providing compensation to WASPI women, while Sir Stephen Timms explains why it is not feasible, leading to clear disagreement on the issue.

5. Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls: Some disagreement exists regarding the effectiveness of current measures and the need for broader cultural change.

   • Example: Saqib Bhatti critiques the government’s approach to rape gangs, suggesting a failure to act comprehensively, while Jess Phillips counters by highlighting ongoing efforts and the government’s determination to address the issue.

6. Prime Minister’s Questions: This section contains more explicit disagreements, with direct critiques of each other’s policies and actions.

   • Example: Kemi Badenoch’s accusations against the Prime Minister regarding negotiations on the Chagos islands and oil and gas licenses, with the Prime Minister responding strongly by defending the government’s stance and attacking the opposition’s past record.

Overall, the disagreements are substantial enough to warrant a rating of 3, as there is a clear division on key issues such as funding, policy implementation, and past governmental performance, but the discourse remains focused on policy rather than degenerating into personal attacks.