Fifth report: Unequal impact? Coronavirus and the gendered economic impact
Select Committee
Women and Equalities Committee
HC 385
9 February 2021
Government response
First Special Report - Unequal impact? Coronavirus and the gendered economic impact: Government response to the Committee’s fifth report of Session 2019–21 · published 14 May 2021
Recommendations & Conclusions
7 results
1
Conclusion
Accepted
Para 16
The Government acted at considerable speed to design and implement schemes to protect jobs, and...
Conclusion
The Government acted at considerable speed to design and implement schemes to protect jobs, and the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) and Self- Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) have provided a vital safety net to millions of people. However, the …
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Government Response Summary
The government partially accepts the importance of evidence on inequalities, stating that advice to Ministers already included analysis of protected characteristics as per legal requirements. However, it rejects publishing this information due to the need for confidential policy discussions.
Government Equalities Office
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5
Recommendation
Accepted
Para 24
Women are traditionally under-represented in sectors that have been singled out for Government investment, such...
Recommendation
Women are traditionally under-represented in sectors that have been singled out for Government investment, such as science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) and construction. More must be done to tackle gender inequalities in representation and career progression in these male-dominated …
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Government Response Summary
The government states its approach ensures everyone benefits from growth areas like STEM, describing existing schemes like Kickstart, ongoing promotional work, and work coach efforts to increase female candidates. It also highlights existing skills support for women to retrain.
Government Equalities Office
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9
Conclusion
Accepted
Para 42
The design of Universal Credit creates risks for women’s financial independence, which can have severe...
Conclusion
The design of Universal Credit creates risks for women’s financial independence, which can have severe consequences for women in abusive relationships. These risks have been heightened over the pandemic as other opportunities for economic support have been limited. They now …
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Government Response Summary
The government describes existing tools and resources, such as the District Provision Tool, Complex Needs Toolkits, and Bite Size learning products, which are available to work coaches to identify claimant needs and provide support. It also notes that UC guidance is published annually.
Government Equalities Office
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14
Recommendation
Accepted
Para 57
Job vacancies remain depressed and women with caring responsibilities require targeted job search support.
Recommendation
Job vacancies remain depressed and women with caring responsibilities require targeted job search support. Maintaining mothers’ attachment to the labour market and increasing the opportunities to retrain for jobs in viable sectors is critical. DWP must expand and tailor its …
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Government Response Summary
The Government accepts the recommendation, stating that DWP Work coaches are already helping mothers access support through expanded employment schemes like Kickstart and Sector-based Work Academy Programmes, and cross-government collaboration aims to support claimants into priority sectors.
Government Equalities Office
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18
Recommendation
Accepted
Para 78
We recommend that the Government mainstream equality into the design of apprenticeships and worked-based learning...
Recommendation
We recommend that the Government mainstream equality into the design of apprenticeships and worked-based learning and actively challenge occupational segregation by gender. It must publish a gender equality plan for its apprenticeship programme and an action plan to increase the …
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Government Response Summary
The government rejected the recommendation to publish a new gender equality plan, stating they already mainstream equality into apprenticeship design, actively challenge gender segregation, and have observed increasing female representation in STEM apprenticeships due to current practices.
Government Equalities Office
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23
Conclusion
Accepted
Para 114
A reliable and affordable childcare system is a prerequisite of a gender equal economy and...
Conclusion
A reliable and affordable childcare system is a prerequisite of a gender equal economy and a gender equal recovery from the pandemic. Yet, the childcare sector could 42 Unequal impact? Coronavirus and the gendered economic impact hardly have been in …
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Government Response Summary
The government describes over £3.5 billion annually for early education entitlements, a £44 million investment for 2021-22, a pledged £1 billion fund for high-quality childcare, and a £220 million Holiday Activities and Food Programme. It also states it is continuing to work with the early years sector to ensure sufficient childcare.
Government Equalities Office
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29
Conclusion
Accepted
Para 129
Robust equalities data is crucial to effective policy responses.
Conclusion
Robust equalities data is crucial to effective policy responses. We have been frustrated by the lack of data disaggregated by sex and other protected characteristics. The lack of intersectional data in large government data sets continues to frustrate meaningful analysis.
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Government Response Summary
The government states the Equality Hub's goal is to ensure evidence-based measures through an Equality Data Programme that will improve understanding of individuals across the UK, alongside the ONS Inclusive Data Taskforce to close data gaps. It also notes departments are asked to include specific equality objectives in their Outcome Delivery Plans.
Government Equalities Office
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