Extract from Women and Equalities questions: Year of Engineering - Jan 11

Mrs Pauline Latham (Mid Derbyshire) (Con): What steps the Government are taking to encourage more girls and women to get involved with the 2018 Year of Engineering. [903236]

The Minister for School Standards (Nick Gibb): The Year of Engineering is an opportunity to tackle historical gender stereotypes. Throughout 2018, the Year of Engineering campaign will highlight the variety and creativity of engineering to improve the understanding of what engineers do and of the enormous opportunities that a career in engineering offers both to young men and young women.

Mrs Latham: Engineering is a vital employment sector for residents of Mid Derbyshire, both in small and medium-sized enterprises and in larger companies like Rolls-Royce, Bombardier and Toyota. Will my right hon. Friend update the House on which external partners in Derby have signed up to the Year of Engineering campaign?

Nick Gibb: My hon. Friend has almost answered the question for me. She is right that Rolls-Royce, Bombardier Transportation and Toyota have all pledged to support the Year of Engineering campaign through activities in schools, both nationwide and in the Derby area.