Results 1-20 of 473 for (in the 'Commons debates' OR in the 'Westminster Hall debates' OR in the 'Lords debates' OR in the 'Northern Ireland Assembly debates') speaker:Michael Jabez Foster

[Mr. Edward O'Hara in the Chair] — Sex Discrimination (Religious Organisations) (11 Nov 2009)

Michael Jabez Foster: I join other speakers in offering my congratulations to the hon. Member for Salisbury (Robert Key) on securing this timely debate, the contributions to which we have all listened with great interest. The Government will be carefully following the progress of the Synod's draft measure. I am grateful for the clear way that the hon. Gentleman set out the issues. I am also grateful for the...

[Mr. Edward O'Hara in the Chair] — Sex Discrimination (Religious Organisations) (11 Nov 2009)

Michael Jabez Foster: Applying the requirements is permitted only where that is a proportionate means of complying with the doctrines of the religion or avoiding conflict with the strongly held religious convictions of a significant number of the religion's followers. Of course, in the end, it would be a matter for the courts, but it seems unlikely that it would go as wide as to include an organist. That is...

Women and Equality: Race Inequality (NHS Staff) (22 Oct 2009) has video

Michael Jabez Foster: My right hon. and learned Friend the Minister for Women and Equality has no direct discussions with the Secretary of State for Health on levels of race inequality, as responsibility for race inequality lies with the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government. His Department, however, works with key delivery Departments, including the Department of Health, to support them and...

Women and Equality: Race Inequality (NHS Staff) (22 Oct 2009) has video

Michael Jabez Foster: My right hon. and learned Friend is well known to be a champion of equalities in this context. The right hon. Gentleman will be aware that the national health service constitution, published this year, puts equality at the heart of the NHS. However, he has raised an important issue, and I know that my colleagues in the Government Equalities Office will wish to continue to discuss it with the...

Women and Equality: Equality and Human Rights Commission (22 Oct 2009) has video

Michael Jabez Foster: In June, the Equality and Human Rights Commission, the Department for Work and Pensions and the Government Equalities Office jointly published research that examined the impact of the recession on disability, age, gender and ethnic minorities. The report found that over the 12 months since its publication, the employment rate for disabled people fell slightly, from 48 per cent. to 47.7 per...

Women and Equality: Equality and Human Rights Commission (22 Oct 2009) has video

Michael Jabez Foster: The answer for all people is to make the right investment decisions, as the Government are doing, to ensure that there is no increase in unemployment overall. However, as the Equality Bill takes its place on the statute book, the new socio-economic duty will play an important role in ensuring that the economic outcomes for disabled people are particularly taken into account. That is something...

Diversity in Public Appointments (1 Jul 2009)

Michael Jabez Foster: I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Sheffield, Heeley (Meg Munn) on securing this debate, which I think is important, despite the number of Members who have come along to take part. She has been at the forefront of equality issues, particularly in public life as the former Deputy Minister for Women and Equality, as well as in much wider roles. Ensuring that our public bodies are...

Diversity in Public Appointments (1 Jul 2009)

Michael Jabez Foster: My hon. Friend makes an important point. It could be suggested that national bodies are London-centric, or at least south-east-centric and that other people do not have the same opportunities. Although there have been improvements in regional boards, national boards still seem to have that problem, so an important part of our diversity proposals is that regional targeting will be part of...

Diversity in Public Appointments (1 Jul 2009)

Michael Jabez Foster: My hon. Friend makes an important point. Of course it is important not to look at things simply at face value. If we dig, we will find the talent, and the scheme must do just that. That is another reason why it is important to work with our stakeholder groups. They know how we can achieve that better than the top-down approach or the use of ministerial templates, which may not fit the bill....

Women and Equality: Age Discrimination (25 Jun 2009) has video

Michael Jabez Foster: We recently received representations on age discrimination against children aged under 18 from organisations including Young Equals, 11 Million, the Association of School and College Leaders and the Equality and Human Rights Commission. We have also discussed the issue with children's groups, including at the Government Equalities Office senior stakeholder group, and the Equality and...

Women and Equality: Age Discrimination (25 Jun 2009) has video

Michael Jabez Foster: We all agree that young people deserve the best possible start in life, but the most appropriate and effective way to deliver better opportunities and services for our young people is through targeted initiatives, which is why, in January, we announced an extra 350,000 apprenticeship places, half of which we expect to go to 16 to 18-year-olds. It is also why we are investing £225 million...

Women and Equality: Age Discrimination (25 Jun 2009) has video

Michael Jabez Foster: As my hon. Friend suggests, most of the arguments in favour of extending age provisions to under-18s seem to arise due to negative attitudes and opinions about young people and mistrust of them. It is important that that be dealt with, but attitudes alone are not the basis of discrimination under the Bill, so we would not solve the problem simply by including under-18s in its measures.

Women and Equality: Gender Pay Gap (25 Jun 2009) has video

Michael Jabez Foster: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer previously given.

Women and Equality: Gender Pay Gap (25 Jun 2009) has video

Michael Jabez Foster: Indeed, and that is why the Equality Bill will ensure that provisions are made to monitor equal pay and make a difference for the future.

Women and Equality: Equality Bill (25 Jun 2009) has video

Michael Jabez Foster: I refer the hon. Lady to the response given earlier today.

Women and Equality: Equality Bill (25 Jun 2009) has video

Michael Jabez Foster: It is clear that there is discrimination against older people in particular, but of course, before any regulations are made, the industry will be properly consulted; that, indeed, is the purpose of the Government's proposals.

Under 10-Metre Fishing Fleet (14 May 2009) has video

Michael Jabez Foster: Does my hon. Friend agree that the principle of one person, one vote might be a better way of determining this? Producer organisations represent only 50 per cent. of the industry, but they seem to have about 90 per cent. of the vote. Should we not consider electoral reform?

Under 10-Metre Fishing Fleet (14 May 2009) has video

Michael Jabez Foster: With regard to the implication of the Hague preference, which my hon. Friend has used in the north-east, as he said, it is obviously easier to get agreement if there is an extra cake to split up. Otherwise, there is no cake for anyone. Should he not be considering doing the same for the coastal strip in the south? Is it not the case that the catch is so low at the moment that the Hague...

Under 10-Metre Fishing Fleet (14 May 2009) has video

Michael Jabez Foster: I am glad that my hon. Friend understands the wickedness of discards, but will he say what the timetable for the scheme is? What prospect is there that it can be adopted more widely across the UK, and when could that happen?

Under 10-Metre Fishing Fleet (14 May 2009) has video

Michael Jabez Foster: I am grateful for the opportunity, somewhat earlier than anticipated, to speak yet again on behalf of the fishing communities of Hastings and Rye. I am sorry that it is necessary to raise the same issue, but the urgency of the message is not getting through. I shall try to leave no ambiguity as to the importance of responding to the cry for justice for the under 10-metre fleet in Hastings and...