This Inquiry was launched to investigate what could be done to create a more aspirational, modern and representative Parliament. While the main focus of the Inquiry has been on increasing the number of women in public life, many of the findings will be valid for all parliamentarians.

The Inquiry looks at improving the working environment of the House of Commons to help increase the recruitment and retention of politicians, both men and women. The hope is that through some of these changes, it will improve the public perception and image of Parliament to the outside world and thereby encourage a more diverse group of men and women to come forward for a role in public life.

Inquiry Background and Aim

The All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Women in Parliament was set up in 2010. Its aim is to make Parliament more representative of the country it serves.  The APPG endeavours to reach out to women to encourage them into public life and to look at ways to increase the number of women in Parliament. Whilst the current number of female Parliamentarians has increased to 22.6% in the House of Commons and 22.8% in the House of Lords, all political parties agree that there is much more to do to create a modern, aspirational and representative Parliament.

 

July 2014