Fathers taking parental leave benefit from a number of legal protections against discrimination. Legislation is in place and provides protection against redundancy and detriment. They also have a right to return to the same or similar job.<\/p>
As part of our consultation on pregnancy and maternity discrimination, Government is also considering whether fathers who have taken shared parental leave should benefit from additional redundancy protection into a period of return to work.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4487", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Rochester and Strood"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Kelly Tolhurst"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-06-13", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-06-13T13:04:49.32Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "201"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-06-10", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Paternity Leave: Discrimination"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps the Government is taking to prevent workplace discrimination against fathers taking parental leave.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1489", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dawn Butler"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Brent Central"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Dawn Butler"} ], "uin" : "262298"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1020609", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1020609/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Government is committed to supporting all entrepreneurs to start and grow a business, and as part of our Industrial Strategy, we have taken steps to encourage women to start a business. There are now 1.1 million female-led small and medium-sized businesses in the UK, which accounts for 19% of SMEs in the UK, 5% higher than in 2010.<\/p>
<\/p>
There are 38 Growth Hubs across England which provide localised information, guidance, expertise and finance for businesses at any stage of their growth. We know that 45% of callers to the Business Support Helpline in 2017/18 were women.<\/p>
<\/p>
The Government-backed British Business Bank provides Start-Up Loans for individuals wishing to start a business and women account for 39% of recipients. The Scheme started in 2012 and as at the end of September 2018, the Start Up Loans programme had lent £450m to more than 59,000 entrepreneurs. The Bank is also conducting a review into the specific barriers female-led businesses face in accessing Venture Capital.<\/p>
<\/p>
I would also like to point out that on 21 September 2018, the Treasury launched a review into the barriers women face getting into business. This is led by Alison Rose, Chief Executive of RBS Commercial and Private Banking. This review will bolster our work to make it easier for them to access the support they need to get their ideas off the ground and grow their businesses.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4487", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Rochester and Strood"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Kelly Tolhurst"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-12-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-12-12T16:51:01.853Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "201"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-12-06", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Females: Small Businesses"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps the Government is taking to support SMEs that are run by women.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1489", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dawn Butler"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Brent Central"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Dawn Butler"} ], "uin" : "199795"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1020611", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1020611/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Our Industrial Strategy is about providing help and support for all individuals wishing to start and grow their own business, regardless of age, gender or ethnicity. The Government-backed British Business Bank\u2019s Start Up Loans programme provides loans for people starting their own business. The Scheme started in 2012 and as at the end of September 2018, the Start Up Loans programme had lent £450m to more than 59,000 entrepreneurs.<\/p>
<\/p>
Whilst our approach to business support is focused on advice and support for all, I am pleased to report that women account for 39% of the recipients of these loans, while 19% of existing SMEs are female-led. The Start-Up Loans scheme also provides comprehensive advice and support for those in receipt of loans, with teams of business advisors and mentoring support to guide people through the start-up process.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4487", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Rochester and Strood"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Kelly Tolhurst"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-12-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-12-12T16:51:14.293Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "201"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-12-06", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Females: New Businesses"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what further support the Government plans to provide to women who have received Government start-up loans to help them maintain their start-ups past the first year.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1489", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dawn Butler"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Brent Central"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Dawn Butler"} ], "uin" : "199796"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/922457", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/922457/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Diversity and inclusion in the boardroom and the workplace is a hugely important element of building an economy that works for all. The Government is committed to a cohesive society, where everyone \u2013 no matter what their background \u2013 has the opportunity to enter into and progress at work and achieve on merit.<\/p>
<\/p>
Sir John Parker\u2019s business-led diversity review into ethnic minorities on FTSE boards published in November 2017, showed that only about 8% of FTSE 100 Directors were from an ethnic minority background, and just over 2% were British citizens from an ethnic minority background.<\/p>
<\/p>
That is why Government supports and has been promoting the recommendation made by Sir John that all FTSE 100 companies should have at least one director of colour by 2021. Baroness McGregor-Smith's 'Race in the workplace' review also set out a range of actions for business and Government. We have been working with Business in the Community and others to support employers to make these changes, including through sharing of good practice and guidance material.<\/p>
<\/p>
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has created a Business Diversity and Inclusion Group, chaired by me, to provide strategic leadership on this agenda, and to help deliver a clear and coordinated message to the business community on what they need to do.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3936", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Andrew Griffiths"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Burton"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Andrew Griffiths"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-06-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-06-20T14:40:31.36Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "201"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-06-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Directors: Females"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps the Government is taking to increase the number of women from black and minority ethnic backgrounds at (a) FTSE 100 boards and (b) the highest level of business.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1489", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dawn Butler"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Brent Central"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Dawn Butler"} ], "uin" : "152685"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/753639", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/753639/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Sir John Parker\u2019s review is a business-led diversity initiative. He consulted on draft recommendations from November 2016 to February 2017, which the Government has endorsed.<\/p>
Diversity and inclusion in the boardroom and the workplace is a hugely important element of building an economy that works for all. That is why I have created a Business Diversity and Inclusion Group to provide strategic leadership on this agenda, and to help deliver a clear and coordinated message to the business community on what they need to do. I have invited Sir John to participate alongside Sir Philip Hampton and Dame Helen Alexander, who are chairing a review aimed at increasing female leadership in FTSE companies, and Baroness Ruby McGregor-Smith, who led a review examining the obstacles faced by businesses in developing BME talent from recruitment through to the executive level.<\/p>
<\/p>
The Government will keep a close eye on how things develop and consider whether it needs to take further action once Sir John has finalised his recommendations later this year.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4115", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Margot James"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Stourbridge"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Margot James"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2017-07-26", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2017-07-26T15:46:46.273Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "201"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2017-07-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Ethnic Diversity of UK Boards Review"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent progress his Department has made on implementing the recommendations of the Parker Review on corporate boards.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1489", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dawn Butler"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Brent Central"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Dawn Butler"} ], "uin" : "5711"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/748350", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/748350/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "