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Rishi Sunak ‘missed opportunity to boost gender equality’ in coronavirus recovery package, claims former minister

AP
AP

The Chancellor’s mini-budget was a “missed opportunity” to boost gender equality, a former Tory minister claimed today.

Caroline Nokes said Rishi Sunak made “no mention” of the sectors where women are disproportionately represented and that still remain closed, such as the beauty industry.

Ms Nokes, chair of the Commons Equalities Committee, said: “Whilst the Chancellor has said that measures aimed at hospitality and tourism sector will benefit women and BAME people, the three most common sectors for women in the UK to work in are health and social care; retail and wholesale; and education.”

She added it was “disappointing” there was no mention of help for the childcare sector, which mostly employs women and helps keep them in work.

Sam Smethers, chief executive of the Fawcett Society, said: “Precarious, and in some areas non-existent, childcare provision will leave many working parents (for that read mothers) unable to return to work and losing their jobs as a result.”

Karen Blackett, who runs the UK arm of advertising giant WPP, said: “Giving working parents a helping hand was a missed opportunity in the Summer Statement.”

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