Written question asked by Chi Onwurah (Labour) on Tuesday, 7 December 2010, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 9 December 2010. It was answered by Lord Willetts (Conservative) on Tuesday, 21 December 2010 on behalf of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

Science: Females

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will take steps to ensure that the freezing of his Department's science budget does not affect the resourcing of activity to promote equality and diversity in the science, engineering and technology sectors.

Answer: Detailed decisions regarding measures and funding to support equality and diversity in the science, engineering and technology sectors will be made as part of the detailed planning process, following the publication of the Science and Research funding allocations on 20 December 2010.We will encourage equality and diversity in the STEM workforce by embedding and mainstreaming them through a number of the programmes we fund, and those of the partners with which we work. This will build on the wider work of the government to promote inclusive workplaces. Delivery of this strategic outcome will be taken forward by a number of our delivery partners over the next Spending Review period. A broad mix of STEM activities and wider societal programmes are funded from the Science and Research allocation and these have a major impact on diversity in the STEM workforce. These include the work of STEMNET and the STEM Ambassadors to encourage a diverse STEM pipeline; the National Academies' fellowships; Research Councils' PhD and fellowships awards; and the Big Bang Fair, and National Science and Engineering Competition.

Secondary information