Speeches by Duffield.

“Dr Beaumont, I have seen that you have done a lot of work on disability, and you touched on it earlier. How do you think that those other protected characteristics, such as race and disability, interact with the sexist discrimination in the music industry?”

“Thank you for being so honest. Dr Beaumont, you have previously published data showing that 70% of black women have felt the need to change something about themselves to be accepted in the industry, like lightening their skin. Do these pressures still exist today, and if so, can you explain why and how they can be tack…”

“Lucy, would you say it is similar in the classical sector?”

“In your experience, how much control do women in the music industry have over their appearance, image, and how they are marketed compared to men? I would be interested to hear particularly from Celeste and Lucy on that.”

“21. What steps her Department is taking through the criminal justice system to help tackle violence against women and girls.”

“We have all our paperwork, we have some really good examples, such as Khadija Mellah, the jockey. It is not the sort of thing that you normally see in the media, is it? And women training as lifeguards, because all the lifeguards were usually traditionally men. It seems like there is a bit of progress being made. How d…”

“Schools and organisations need to talk to those groups of women and understand some of the issues?”

“This section is probably mostly for Allia and Raheel, but anyone can contribute. What are the barriers faced by Muslim women who want to participate in sport, would you say?”

“Last year, on average, at least three instances of antisocial behaviour per day were reported to Kent police in the city centre of Canterbury alone. We have great beat officers who I know keep our city as safe as they can, but given that the economy of our historic UNESCO city relies so heavily on tourism, how will the…”

“10. What steps her Department is taking to help tackle antisocial behaviour.”

“T4. Since 2017 I have been raising the crisis facing East Kent hospitals university NHS foundation trust. Seven different Health Secretaries across those seven years have promised much but delivered nothing at all. Patients continue to face unacceptably long waits on trolleys in corridors, and last month the Kent Onlin…”

“To what extent are affected older people accessing the broader Warm Home Discount Scheme and the local authorities’ Household Support Fund? Do you have up-to-date records on that?”

“Thank you so much; you have all been really helpful.”

“Thank you. Would you all agree? Most MPs that did not vote that way told us that experience showed older people are more likely to opt out than opt in to something because there is stigma and embarrassment. Broadly, would you all agree with that?”

“Rhian, do you want to come in?”

“The first question is directed to Joanna mostly. What would you say have been the key drivers in the increase of levels of poverty among older people over the last decade?”

“Thank you; that was a really helpful answer. What steps would you like to see prioritised to reduce poverty in our ageing population? Do you think things like the Renters’ Rights Bill might make a difference with private renting particularly?”

“Thank you. Does anyone else want to come in?”

“Thank you very much. Just turning to the whole panel: the third sector was strongly opposed to the decision to means-test the winter fuel payment. How effective, or not, will the mitigations that the Government have announced be?”

“Thank you. What further mitigations would your organisations like to see, and what would be the cost to the Exchequer—if you know that?”