Covid-19: Economic Opportunity

Alexander Stafford (Rother Valley) (Con)
What steps the Government are taking to ensure equality of economic opportunity after the covid-19 outbreak.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (Paul Scully)
The Government take the public sector equality duty into account when developing, implementing and reviewing all policies, including the response to the covid-19 pandemic. We are gathering and developing evidence for the equalities impact of covid-19, which will be used to support and influence planning for the economic recovery.

Alexander Stafford
Flexibility of working is important for both men and women, so will my hon. Friend tell me whether the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has plans to make flexibility the default, rather than an option?

Paul Scully
I am grateful to my hon. Friend for raising flexible working. The Government have been clear about the benefits of flexible working for employers and their employees. The manifesto we stood on talked about an employment Bill, which we will bring forward when possible, to make flexible working the default. We look forward to introducing those measures, subject to consultation.