UK PLC losing out by under-using enterprising women - Burt

1.05.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 5th Jan 2007

Commenting on today's Equal Opportunities Commission report into the under-representation of women in Parliament and company boardrooms, Liberal Democrat Women and Equalities Spokesperson, Lorely Burt MP said:

"It is unacceptable in the twenty first century that women are still not playing their full part in some of the country's key decisions.

"UK plc is losing out by not tapping into the pool of talented and enterprising women.

"Women are not asking for a head start, but simply the introduction of practical measures to ensure genuine equality of opportunity.

"The Liberal Democrats are committed to putting our own house in order by giving strong practical and financial support to talented women and ethnic minority candidates."

Applicability: this item refers to England and Wales. Due to devolution, detailed policy may be different in other areas of the UK.