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Whitehall failing to meet targets for women’s employment at the top Whitehall failing to meet targets for women’s employment at the top
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Only two Whitehall departments met the government’s target of appointing as many women as men to top public jobs in 2013-14, official figures have shown.Only two Whitehall departments met the government’s target of appointing as many women as men to top public jobs in 2013-14, official figures have shown.
The data showed that less than 40% of appointments made by Whitehall departments went to women in that financial year and 10 departments performed worse than they did in the previous one.The data showed that less than 40% of appointments made by Whitehall departments went to women in that financial year and 10 departments performed worse than they did in the previous one.
While the proportion increased to 44% in the first half of the current financial year, Labour said the government was not likely to meet its target of 50-50 representation by the end of the current parliament.While the proportion increased to 44% in the first half of the current financial year, Labour said the government was not likely to meet its target of 50-50 representation by the end of the current parliament.
The figures will place more pressure on prime minister David Cameron, who has been accused of having a “women problem” with polls having shown his party struggling to attract female support. The prime minister has promised to increase the representation of women in top jobs but has only five women serving in his cabinet of 22 ministers. And, of the 305 Conservative MPs, only 16% are women.The figures will place more pressure on prime minister David Cameron, who has been accused of having a “women problem” with polls having shown his party struggling to attract female support. The prime minister has promised to increase the representation of women in top jobs but has only five women serving in his cabinet of 22 ministers. And, of the 305 Conservative MPs, only 16% are women.
“David Cameron and Nick Clegg claim they want more women at the top of society but their government’s actions tell a different story,” said shadow equalities minister Gloria de Piero.“David Cameron and Nick Clegg claim they want more women at the top of society but their government’s actions tell a different story,” said shadow equalities minister Gloria de Piero.
“They are failing on their commitment to gender equality in government appointments and preside over a cabinet that’s two-thirds male.”“They are failing on their commitment to gender equality in government appointments and preside over a cabinet that’s two-thirds male.”
She said that, should he become prime minister, Ed Miliband wanted half of his cabinet ministers to be women. And a Labour government would “govern in the interests of women, from introducing 25 hours free childcare for three and four-year-olds of working parents, or pay transparency to tackle the gender pay gap”, she added.She said that, should he become prime minister, Ed Miliband wanted half of his cabinet ministers to be women. And a Labour government would “govern in the interests of women, from introducing 25 hours free childcare for three and four-year-olds of working parents, or pay transparency to tackle the gender pay gap”, she added.
According to the figures, the only departments to hit 50% between April 2013 and March 2014 were the Foreign Office, which appointed two women to four available posts, and the Home Office, with 36 out of 68. Only six of 40 public appointments made by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) went to women.According to the figures, the only departments to hit 50% between April 2013 and March 2014 were the Foreign Office, which appointed two women to four available posts, and the Home Office, with 36 out of 68. Only six of 40 public appointments made by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) went to women.
In the first half of the current financial year, the Ministry of Justice was among three departments to meet the 50% target.In the first half of the current financial year, the Ministry of Justice was among three departments to meet the 50% target.
It appointed women to 102 of 185 vacancies, while the Cabinet Office appointed three women to its four available posts and the Department for Communities and Local Government appointed two women and two men.It appointed women to 102 of 185 vacancies, while the Cabinet Office appointed three women to its four available posts and the Department for Communities and Local Government appointed two women and two men.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport came close with 48%, but the MoD was one of six to prefer female candidates in fewer than a third of cases.The Department for Culture, Media and Sport came close with 48%, but the MoD was one of six to prefer female candidates in fewer than a third of cases.
None of the three made by the Department for Education in the six months to September 2014 – or the two made by the Department for Transport – went to women.None of the three made by the Department for Education in the six months to September 2014 – or the two made by the Department for Transport – went to women.
Appointments to the boards of public bodies are regulated by the commissioner for public appointments which monitors equality issues.Appointments to the boards of public bodies are regulated by the commissioner for public appointments which monitors equality issues.
In 2012-13 – the first year the statistics were published – 37.15% of appointments were of female candidates, while women accounted for 39.2% of the appointees in 2013-14.In 2012-13 – the first year the statistics were published – 37.15% of appointments were of female candidates, while women accounted for 39.2% of the appointees in 2013-14.
The latest figures were collated from Cabinet Office releases for the financial year 2013-14 and for the first half of 2014-15. They referred to appointments to the boards of public bodies, such as the Food Standards Agency and Victoria and Albert Museum, made by Whitehall departments.The latest figures were collated from Cabinet Office releases for the financial year 2013-14 and for the first half of 2014-15. They referred to appointments to the boards of public bodies, such as the Food Standards Agency and Victoria and Albert Museum, made by Whitehall departments.
A Cabinet Office spokesman highlighted the overall upward trend and insisted that the government was “on track” to achieve 50% by the general election in May next year.A Cabinet Office spokesman highlighted the overall upward trend and insisted that the government was “on track” to achieve 50% by the general election in May next year.
“As part of this government’s long-term economic plan, we want the very best people on the boards of our public bodies.“As part of this government’s long-term economic plan, we want the very best people on the boards of our public bodies.
“So we have overhauled the appointments process to emphasise skills over experience and to encourage more women to apply for these important positions,” a spokesman said.“So we have overhauled the appointments process to emphasise skills over experience and to encourage more women to apply for these important positions,” a spokesman said.
“Before the last general election, only around a third of new appointments went to women. We are making strong progress, with around 40% going to women last year, putting us on track to meet our aspiration of half of such appointments going to women.”“Before the last general election, only around a third of new appointments went to women. We are making strong progress, with around 40% going to women last year, putting us on track to meet our aspiration of half of such appointments going to women.”