HC Deb 25 March 2004 vol 419 c941W
26. Mr. Denham

To ask the Minister for Women what assessment she has made of the career opportunities open to women in the south-east of England. [163458]

Jacqui Smith

As my hon. Friend is aware, the Department is concerned to promote women's economic participation nationally.

The major changes my right hon. Friend has introduced to support flexible working and work-life balance—rights to request flexible working, increased maternity leave and pay, and paternity leave—are all making a real difference to women's participation.

I have tasked the Regional Development Agencies in the south-east, as elsewhere, to develop economic strategies that focus, among other things, on women's jobs and careers. The Government have increased funding to the RDAs in order to deliver these strategies.

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