Ben Howlett, the Member of Parliament for Bath, has pressed the Secretary of State for Women and Equalities to do more to improve the number of women pursuing STEM careers.
These careers are in areas such as engineering, science and the construction industry.
In the House of Commons Chamber, Ben said: “A recent report by CASE found that when parents were asked what type of job they want their child to pursue when they finish education, there was a clear gender bias with parents wanting for their son a career in engineering and for their daughter a career in nursing.
“Does the Minister agree that it is crucial we break down these barriers?”
In response Nicky Morgan, the Secretary of State for Women and Equalities, said: “It is good to see that maths A-level is now the most popular A-level. We’ve got more girls studying STEM subjects both at GCSEs and A-levels.
“But the issue is that women are concentrated in less well paid occupations. Women are 92% of secretaries, 94% of child care assistants but only 7% of engineers and 20% of architects. Again that has to change.”
After leaving the chamber Ben Howlett commented: “It is fantastic to hear that the Secretary of State is taking seriously the lack of diversity in the STEM subjects and careers.
“This is a huge issue, not only in Bath but across the country, and is something I will be looking to improve over the next few years, in Bath and through my position on the Women and Equalities Select Committee.
“There should be no gendered careers, women make excellent engineers and similarly men make excellent nurses.
“We should be striving for complete gender equality in this country, and by turning our focus to the next generation, we have the chance to make this a reality.”
