Telford MP Lucy Allan to chair education inquiry

Ms Allan is co-chairing the Skills Commission’s Spotlight inquiry, examining gender in the skills system, together with Birmingham Edgbaston MP Preet Gill and Policy Connect.

Ms Allan has been a member of the Education Select Committee since 2015 and is a former member of the Women and Equalities Committee.

Both co-chairs are responsible for steering the inquiry and evidence sessions, the first one taking place this week in Parliament.

The inquiry will focus on why women are under-represented within engineering courses at levels two to six and how the skills system can be reformed to better support women into engineering.

The spotlight series of inquiries aims to bring the focus back to groups and individuals who face obstacles in engaging with the skills system through a process of five short reports.

Ms Allan said: “I am delighted to co-chair the skills commission inquiry on gender in the skills system, together with Preet Gill and Policy Connect.

“As a member of the Education Select Committee since 2015 and former member of the Women and Equalities Committee, this area of study is of particular interest to me.

“It’s a privilege to have the opportunity to contribute to this debate which matters so much to the futures of young women and girls.

“I am keen to see this issue centre stage. I hope that this inquiry will shine a light on the connectivity between the gender skills gap and gender earnings gap, and will recommend effective solutions to enable more women to enter skilled professions and achieve their full potential.”