HC Deb 14 February 2002 vol 380 cc307-8
30. Siobhain McDonagh (Mitcham and Morden)

What steps she is taking to encourage women who have left jobs in the public health and education services to return to work in those services. [33824]

The Minister for Women (Ms Patricia Hewitt)

Thousands of women teachers and health professionals are being helped to return to work in our schools and hospitals every year, as a result of our supported return to work programmes, our investment in child care and increased flexibility in work patterns and working hours.

Siobhain McDonagh

I thank my right hon. Friend for that answer. Will she expand on assistance with child care? I understand that, in the recent consultations that she has undertaken in her role as Minister for Women, expensive child care was particularly identified as a problem in returning to work, especially in London, where child care costs are higher than in other parts of the country.

Ms Hewitt

I entirely agree with the point that my hon. Friend makes. Child care costs, particularly in London, can be a real barrier to women seeking to return to work. For example, the refresher courses, which the Government are funding, for teachers returning to work include help with child care costs. The national health service is increasingly providing creches and advice for women who need to get child care close to their places of work so that they can return to work in the NHS.

Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York)

Can the right hon. Lady tell the House what proportion of the women who left those sectors were full time; what proportion were part time; and what proportion left voluntarily to spend time with their families at home?

Ms Hewitt

I do not have the detailed figures for which the hon. Lady asks, but of course most of the women who left their professions did so to spend time with their children, and they have gained invaluable experience, as well as contributing to their families, as a result. Of course, we are seeking not to compel anyone to return, but to make it much easier for women who have that combination of family experience and relevant qualifications to return to work when they want to do so, on hours that will suit them and their families.