Women ‘erased’ from agenda as role ditched

‘People will be focused on the actions the Government takes, including introducing a domestic abuse register’

LIZ TRUSS has been accused of “erasing women from the equalities agenda”, after the role of minister for women was scrapped.

Downing Street denied that Ms Truss is downgrading the importance of women’s rights after no “minister for women” was named in her Cabinet.

On Tuesday evening Nadhim Zahawi was announced as the new minister for equalities, alongside his main brief as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman insisted that Mr Zahawi’s brief will cover women as part of his general work on equalities.

But dropping “women” from the title was queried. Kate Osborne, the Labour MP who chairs the Commons women and equalities committee, said: “Women’s rights must be at the forefront of the work we do.

“We can’t allow the Government to erase women from the equalities agenda.” Caroline Nokes, a Tory MP who previously chaired the committee, tweeted: “Wonder if the erasing of Women from the job title is intentional or just an oversight.”

The spokesman said that while the title held by Mr Zahawi had “changed slightly” his brief had not altered.

“The policies which relate to him still apply. He is the minister for equalities which will include the policies as before which applied.

“I believe that the people of the United Kingdom will be focused on the actions that the Government takes to protect women, including introducing a national domestic abuse register.”