Speeches by Burton-Sampson.

“Rachael, what steps are being taken to encourage more women to get into the live comedy sector?”

“Ola, how do you think we can improve representation of women and other ethnic minorities within the live comedy circuit?”

“What do you think is driving this lack of representation?”

“Are comedy club owners, bookers and promoters responsible for the lack of representation, or to what extent are they? Or is it all down to audience preference?”

“Ola, would you say it is pushing women away from wanting to get into the comedy field?”

“Thank you to all three of you for being here today. I am going to apologise now because I have to leave at five minutes to 3, which I am gutted about because I am really interested in this topic. I will watch it later just to hear the rest of your answers. Ola, could you tell us what the current gender balance is among…”

“Nina, there is a perception that women are not funny and audiences enjoy male comedians more. Briefly, what impact does that have on female comedians or even aspiring female comedians?”

“What about women from ethnic and religious minorities? How well do you think they are represented across the circuit?”

“Nina, do you have any views on what drives the lack of representation?”

“I totally disagree with the perception that women are not funny because my favourite comedians are women, so there we go. As a comedy club founder and owner, to what extent are comedy clubs, bookers and promoters responsible for the lack of representation, or does it reflect audience preference?”

“Alex, can you consider how the sector can perhaps reset itself to gain a broader political and public level of support for the work being done?”

“Peter, please reflect on anything we have spoken about already, but to what extent has political and public support of EDI been affected by movements such as Black Lives Matter and the debate about balancing trans inclusion with women’s sex-based rights?”

“Please be quick, Louise.”

“In my constituency, we have a cohesive and diverse community, with a significant Jewish population, a thriving Muslim community and many others from various different backgrounds all living together and supporting each other. I was therefore appalled to learn of the arson attack against the Jewish community in Golders …”

“Does anybody have a different view? Iain, please go ahead. Could you also consider whether the UK and the US are comparable when we look at how EDI is measured?”

“Thank you all for being here today. As we are pressed for time I am going to direct questions at individuals, and if you have a different opinion then I will bring you in. Let us try to get through as quickly as we can. Zoe, attitudes to equality, diversity and inclusion initiatives have changed in recent years. What d…”

“Southend recently held its second City Day to celebrate and recognise us officially becoming a city following the tragic murder of Sir David Amess. This year the celebration stretched right across the city, including to Leigh-on-Sea in my constituency—a town filled with heritage and culture, and which I am backing to b…”

“Rachel, what actions has the HFEA taken in relation to the recent ruling by the Advertising Standards Authority regarding egg donation adverts?”

“If we take the inducement out of it, would the compensation perhaps be more attractive to lower-income groups as a reason for making a donation than to other higher-income groups?”

“It is interesting you mention ensuring that it does not act as an inducement. Do you have any concerns that certain demographics, perhaps—maybe the more deprived demographics who, from the data I have seen, tend to be more likely to partake in egg donation—are more likely to be induced by adverts?”