READING West and Mid Berkshire MP Olivia Bailey has been elected to chair the Women and Equalities Select Committee.
It comes after previous chair Sarah Owen MP stepped down, when Ms Bailey was chosen alongside Anneliese Dodds MP and Preet Kaur Gill MP as candidates.
The government announced on Monday, September 14, that Ms Bailey had been elected, assuming the role with immediate effect.
Her election to the position follows her roles as chair of the Labour Women’s Network, and–more recently–her appointment as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State to the Minister for Equalities.
The Women and Equalities Select Committee examines the work of the Office for Equality and Opportunity and is responsible for holding Government to account on equality law and policy, including the Equality Act 2010 and cross Government activity on equalities.
It also scrutinises the Equality and Human Rights Commission.
Ms Bailey MP said: “I’m honoured to have been elected Chair of the Women and Equalities Committee. I’ll use this role to hold the Government to account, ensure Labour delivers on its commitments on equality, and lead the important conversations we need to have in Parliament.
“At a time when equality issues are more important, and often more contested, than ever, I want the Committee to bring people together, work constructively across party lines and make sure the voices of those too often overlooked are heard. I’m proud to take on this role, and I’ll carry the voices and experiences of people across Reading West and Mid Berkshire with me.”
