§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps he is taking to encourage greater participation in the labour market by Muslim women. [23812]
§ Mr. Nicholas BrownMuslim women can benefit from the range of new deals and other welfare-to-work initiatives that we have introduced to help people overcome the barriers to employment and to make work pay, such as working families tax credit, the national minimum wage, and the national child care strategy. From later this year, we will also invest in a new service in five areas of the country, to reach out to minority ethnic people who are at a disadvantage in the labour market.
Measures are also being introduced in the current Employment Bill that will help working mothers to remain within the work force through better balancing of their work and home commitments. This is good for parents, children and business.